--- title: "Depression in medical students: gene-environment interaction | Sutter Health" description: "This study investigated the interaction of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors in predicting depression and anxiety symptoms in medical students." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/med-students-depression-gene-environmt-1055312484" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Depression in medical students: gene-environment interaction # Depression in medical students: gene-environment interactions. Rosen D, Mascaro N, Arnau R, Escamilla M, Tai-Seale M, Ficht A, Sanders C, Henderson P, Hoang U, & Stephenson K. _Ann Behav Sci Med Educ. 16(2):8-14._ 2010-02-01 ## Abstract This study investigated the interaction of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors in predicting depression and anxiety symptoms in medical students. First-year medical students (n=141) completed measures of anxiety, depression, hope, and spiritual meaning at three time points during the first year. Buccal samples were utilized to genotype each individual at the s/l variant in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). A subset (n=91) completed a measure of recent stressors. Mean levels of depression increased during year one of medical school. Presence of the s/s genotype in the promoter region of the 5-HTT gene was associated with greater increases in depression, but only in association with higher numbers of recent stressors. Spiritual meaning and hope were found to counteract genetic susceptibility to stress-related depressive symptoms in the more vulnerable s/s group. [PubMed abstract](https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/17110/) ## Research topics - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Environmental Exposure](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Environmental+Exposure%5C%22%22) - [Genetics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Genetics%5C%22%22) - [Mental Health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Mental+Health%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Diverse transcriptional programs associated with environmental stress and hormones in the Arabidopsis receptor-like kinase gene family.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/transcription-programs-arabidopsis-receptor-like-genes-1055312696) Chae L, Sudat S, Dudoit S, Zhu T, Luan S. Mol Plant. 2(1):84-107. doi: 10.1093/mp/ssn083. 2009 Jan 01 - Publication ### [Patients with mental health needs are engaged in asking questions, but physicians’ responses vary](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/md-responses-to-pts-with-mental-health-needs-1055312583) Tai-Seale M, Foo P, Stults C. Health Aff. 32(2):259-67. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2012.0962. 2013 Feb 01 - Publication ### [Regarding: "Do high-speed drills generate high-frequency noise in mastoid surgery?"](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/high-speed-drills-high-freq-noise-mastoid-surgery-1055312935) Hetzler D. Otol Neurotol. 33(6):1101; author reply 1101-2. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182545086. 2012 Aug 01 - Publication ### [Gene-environment correlation: difficulties and a natural experiment-based strategy.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/gene-env-correlation-natural-expt-strategy-1055312367) Wagner B, Li J, Liu H, Guo G. 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PLoS One. 15(4):e0231743. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231743. eCollection 2020. 2020 Apr 21 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/med-students-depression-gene-environmt-1055312484#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Depression in medical students: gene-environment interaction"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/med-students-depression-gene-environmt-1055312484#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Depression in medical students: gene-environment interactions.","headline":"Depression in medical students: gene-environment interaction","abstract":"This study investigated the interaction of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors in predicting depression and anxiety symptoms in medical students. First-year medical students (n=141) completed measures of anxiety, depression, hope, and spiritual meaning at three time points during the first year. Buccal samples were utilized to genotype each individual at the s/l variant in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). A subset (n=91) completed a measure of recent stressors. Mean levels of depression increased during year one of medical school. Presence of the s/s genotype in the promoter region of the 5-HTT gene was associated with greater increases in depression, but only in association with higher numbers of recent stressors. 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