@article{BuchmannHohmWittetal.2015, author = {Buchmann, Arlette F. and Hohm, Erika and Witt, Stephanie H. and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Banaschewski, Tobias and Brandeis, Daniel and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Role of CNR1 polymorphisms in moderating the effects of psychosocial adversity on impulsivity in adolescents}, series = {Journal of neural transmission}, volume = {122}, journal = {Journal of neural transmission}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wien}, issn = {0300-9564}, doi = {10.1007/s00702-014-1266-3}, pages = {455 -- 463}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Enhanced endocannabinoid signaling has been implicated in typically adolescent behavioral features such as increased risk-taking, impulsivity and novelty seeking. Research investigating the impact of genetic variants in the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) and of early rearing conditions has demonstrated that both factors contribute to the prediction of impulsivity-related phenotypes. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis of an interaction of the two most studied CNR1 polymorphisms rs806379 and rs1049353 with early psychosocial adversity in terms of affecting impulsivity in 15-year-olds from an epidemiological cohort sample followed since birth. In 323 adolescents (170 girls, 153 boys), problems of impulse control and novelty seeking were assessed using parent-report and self-report, respectively. Exposure to early psychosocial adversity was determined in a parent interview conducted at the age of 3 months. The results indicated that impulsivity increased following exposure to early psychosocial adversity, with this increase being dependent on CNR1 genotype. In contrast, while individuals exposed to early adversity scored higher on novelty seeking, no significant impact of genotype or the interaction thereof was detected. This is the first evidence to suggest that the interaction of CNR1 gene variants with the experience of early life adversity may play a role in determining adolescent impulsive behavior. However, given that the reported findings are obtained in a high-risk community sample, results are restricted in terms of interpretation and generalization. Future research is needed to replicate these findings and to identify the mediating mechanisms underlying this effect.}, language = {en} } @article{NikitopoulosZohselBlomeyeretal.2014, author = {Nikitopoulos, Joerg and Zohsel, Katrin and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Buchmann, Arlette F. and Schmid, Brigitte and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Becker, Katja and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Brandeis, Daniel and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Are infants differentially sensitive to parenting? Early maternal care, DRD4 genotype and externalizing behavior during adolescence}, series = {Journal of psychiatric research}, volume = {59}, journal = {Journal of psychiatric research}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0022-3956}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.08.012}, pages = {53 -- 59}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{BuchmannBlomeyerJennenSteinmetzetal.2013, author = {Buchmann, Arlette F. and Blomeyer, Dorothea and Jennen-Steinmetz, Christine and Schmidt, Martin H. and Esser, G{\"u}nter and Banaschewski, Tobias and Laucht, Manfred}, title = {Early smoking onset may promise initial pleasurable sensations and later addiction}, series = {Addiction biology}, volume = {18}, journal = {Addiction biology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1369-1600}, doi = {10.1111/j.1369-1600.2011.00377.x}, pages = {947 -- 954}, year = {2013}, abstract = {There is converging evidence suggesting a particular susceptibility to the addictive properties of nicotine among adolescents. The aim of the current study was to prospectively ascertain the relationship between age at first cigarette and initial smoking experiences, and to examine the combined effects of these characteristics of adolescent smoking behavior on adult smoking. It was hypothesized that the association between earlier age at first cigarette and later development of nicotine dependence may, at least in part, be attributable to differences in experiencing pleasurable early smoking sensations. Data were drawn from the participants of the Mannheim Study of Children at Risk, an ongoing epidemiological cohort study from birth to adulthood. Structured interviews at age 15, 19 and 22 years were conducted to assess the age at first cigarette, early smoking experiences and current smoking behavior in 213 young adults. In addition, the participants completed the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. Adolescents who smoked their first cigarette at an earlier age reported more pleasurable sensations from the cigarette, and they were more likely to be regular smokers at age 22. The age at first cigarette also predicted the number of cigarettes smoked and dependence at age 22. Thus, both the age of first cigarette and the pleasure experienced from the cigarette independently predicted aspects of smoking at age 22.}, language = {en} }