Exploring the association of interleukin polymorphisms with aggression and internalizing behaviors in children and adolescents.

Background: There is growing evidence that inflammation influences mental health. Blood interleukin levels, which regulate inflammation, have been linked to aggression and internalizing behaviors. We performed a hypothesis-driven genetic study to (1) evaluate the association of IL1B, IL2, and IL6 gene variants with aggression and internalizing behaviors and (2) explore gene-environment interactions with childhood adversity in a deeply phenotyped childhood-onset aggression sample including 255 cases and 226 controls of European ancestry.

FKBP5 interacts with maltreatment in children with extreme, pervasive, and persistent aggression.

Genetic variation in stress response protein FKBP5 is associated with adult psychopathology, but little is known about its role in children's mental health. 5 polymorphisms were genotyped in 170 high aggression cases and 170 age- and sex-matched controls. The rs9470080 polymorphism was associated with physiological anxiety, while rs4713916 polymorphism interacted with maltreatment to influence externalizing traits.