The interaction between TMEM161B (rs768705) and paranoid personality traits in relation to the risk of major depressive disorder: Results form a longitudinal study of 7642 Chinese freshmen

Background: Rs768705 (TMEM161B) is one of the identified single nucleotide polymorphisms related to major depressive disorder (MDD). Paranoid personality traits are independently associated with the risk of MDD. This study aimed to investigate the interaction effect between rs768705 (TMEM161B) and paranoid personality traits on the new-onset risk of MDD in Chinese freshmen.

Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted among 7642 Chinese freshmen without lifetime MDD at baseline in 2018. 158 new-onset MDD cases were ascertained in 2019. DNA samples were extracted to detect the genotype of rs768705. The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-IV criteria were used to determine MDD and personality disorder traits. Multiplicative interaction was assessed by logistic regression models. Tomas Andersson's method for calculating biological interactions was used to estimate the additive interaction.

Results: Rs768705(AG) (OR = 1.88, 95 % CI: 1.24-2.83) and paranoid personality traits (OR = 3.68, 95 % CI: 2.57-5.26) were significantly associated with the risk of MDD. The multiplicative interaction model with the product term of rs768705 and paranoid personality trait traits had a significant interaction effect (OR = 4.20, 95 % CI:1.62-10.91). There was also a significant additive interaction effect (RR = 7.08, 95 % CI:4.31-11.65) for the incidence of MDD. Seventy seven percent patients among new MDD cases were attributed to the additive interaction effect between rs768705 and paranoid personality traits.

Conclusions: Rs768705 (AG) may interact with paranoid personality traits to increase the incidence of MDD among Chinese college students. Schools and psychosocial health organizations should pay more attention to individuals with paranoid personality traits for MDD intervention and prevention.