Genetic and Environmental Associations Among Executive Functions, Trait Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms in Middle Age

Abstract

Multiple executive functions (EFs) are associated with trait anxiety and depression symptoms, but it is unclear how genetic and/or environmental factors account for these associations and whether they are explained by general variance underlying multiple EFs (i.e., common EF). In this study, 1,207 male twins completed seven EF tasks and measures of trait anxiety and depression symptoms at an average age of 62 years. The common EF factor was associated with both anxiety (r = −.24) and depression (r = −.32) symptoms. Anxiety and depression had a near-complete genetic overlap (rg =.96). Genetic influences shared with depression accounted for 83% of the phenotypic correlation between anxiety and common EF. For depression, the phenotypic correlation with common EF was explained by genetic influences shared with anxiety (69%) but also nonshared environmental influences distinct from anxiety (20%). These results suggest that genetic influences on common EF play a role in the observed genetic overlap between anxiety and depression.