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Espinoza Oyarce DA, Burns RA, Shaw ME, Butterworth P, Cherbuin N. Neural correlates of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory: A cross-sectional structural neuroimaging study in middle-aged adults. Psychophysiology 2024; 61:e14574. [PMID: 38546153 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
The revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) proposes that neurobiological systems control behavior: the fight-flight-freeze (FFFS) for avoidance of threat; behavioral approach/activation (BAS) for approach to rewards; and behavioral inhibition (BIS) for conflict resolution when avoidance and approach are possible. Neuroimaging studies have confirmed some theoretical associations between brain structures and the BAS and BIS; however, little representative population data are available for the FFFS. We investigated the neural correlates of the revised RST in a sample of 404 middle-aged adults (Mage = 47.18 (SD = 1.38); 54.5% female). Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and completed health questionnaires and the BIS/BAS/FFFS scales. We used multiple regression analyses to investigate the association between scale scores and volumes of a priori theoretically linked regions of interest while controlling for sex, age, intracranial volume, and cardio-metabolic variables; and conducted exploratory analyses on cortical thickness. The BIS was negatively associated with hippocampus laterality. At standard significance levels, the fear component of the FFFS was positively associated with anterior cingulate cortex; the BAS was positively associated with bilateral caudate; and the BIS was positively associated with posterior cingulate cortex volume. Furthermore, these neurobiological systems showed distinct patterns of association with cortical thickness though future work is needed. Our results showed that the neurobiological systems of the revised RST characterized in rodents can also be identified in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela A Espinoza Oyarce
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Richard A Burns
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Marnie E Shaw
- College of Engineering and Computer Science, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Peter Butterworth
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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2
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Underlying differences in resting-state activity metrics related to sensitivity to punishment. Behav Brain Res 2023; 437:114152. [PMID: 36228781 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) of personality establishes the punishment sensitivity trait as a source of variation in defensive avoidance/approach behaviors. These individual differences reflect dissimilar sensitivity and reactivity of the fight-flight-freeze and behavioral inhibition systems (FFFS/BIS). The sensitivity to punishment (SP) scale has been widely used in personality research aimed at studying the activity of these systems. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies have confirmed the core biological correlates of FFFS/BIS in humans. Nonetheless, some brain functional features derived from resting-state blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) activity and its association with the punishment sensitivity dimension remain unclear. This relationship would shed light on stable neural activity patterns linked to anxiety-like behaviors and anxiety predisposition. In this study, we analyzed functional activity metrics "at rest" [e.g., regional homogeneity (ReHo) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF)] and their relationship with SP in key FFFS/BIS regions (e.g., amygdala, hippocampus, and periaqueductal gray) in a sample of 127 healthy adults. Our results revealed a significant negative correlation between the fALFF within all these regions and the scores on SP. Our findings suggest aberrant neural activity (lower fALFF) within the brain's defense system in participants with high trait anxiety, which in turn could reflect lower FFFS/BIS activation thresholds. These neurally-located differences could lead to pathological fear/anxiety behaviors arising from the FFFS and BIS.
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Smederevac S, Sadiković S, Čolović P, Vučinić N, Milutinović A, Riemann R, Corr PJ, Prinz M, Budimlija Z. Quantitative behavioral genetic and molecular genetic foundations of the approach and avoidance strategies. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-15. [PMID: 35095249 PMCID: PMC8788394 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02724-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Two studies examined genetic and environmental influences on traits proposed by the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST) of personality. Both quantitative and molecular behavioral genetic methods were applied considering the effects of COMT, DRD2, HTR1A and TPH2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Study one included 274 monozygotic and 154 dizygotic twins for the quantitative behavioral study; and in study two there were 431 twins for the molecular genetic study. The Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire was used to assess basic personality traits defined by the rRST. Univariate biometric modeling suggested that genetic influences accounted for 34-44% of variance of Behavioral Approach System (BAS), Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Fight-Fligh-Freeze System. Molecular genetic analyses proposed the significant main effect of COMT SNP on the BAS and TPH2 SNP on the BIS, and pointed out epistatic effects of COMT x DRD2 on BAS and HTR1A x TPH2 on Fight. Results demonstrated substantial heritability for all rRST constructs, as well as for differences in the molecular genetic basis of both approach-related and avoidance-related dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Smederevac
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Dr. Zorana Djindjića 2, Novi Sad, 21 000 Serbia
| | - Selka Sadiković
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Dr. Zorana Djindjića 2, Novi Sad, 21 000 Serbia
| | - Petar Čolović
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Dr. Zorana Djindjića 2, Novi Sad, 21 000 Serbia
| | - Nataša Vučinić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Rainer Riemann
- Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Philip J. Corr
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Mechthild Prinz
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY USA
| | - Zoran Budimlija
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY USA
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Akhrif A, Roy A, Peters K, Lesch KP, Romanos M, Schmitt-Böhrer A, Neufang S. REVERSE phenotyping-Can the phenotype following constitutive Tph2 gene inactivation in mice be transferred to children and adolescents with and without adhd? Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02054. [PMID: 33523602 PMCID: PMC8119824 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experimental models of neuropsychiatric disorders, for example, ADHD, are used to mimic specific phenotypic traits of a complex human disorder. However, it remains unresolved to what extent the animal phenotype reflects the specific human trait. The null mutant mouse of the serotonin-synthesizing tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2-/- ) gene has been proposed as experimental model for ADHD with high face validity for impulsive, aggressive, and anxious behaviors. To validate this ADHD-like model, we examined the Tph2-/- phenotype in humans when considering allelic variation of TPH2 function ("reverse phenotyping"). METHODS 58 participants (6 females, 8-18 years) were examined, of whom 32 were diagnosed with ADHD. All participants were phenotyped for impulsivity, aggression, and anxiety using questionnaires, behavioral tests, and MRI scanning while performing the 4-choice serial reaction time task. Additionally, participants were genotyped for the TPH2 G-703T (rs4570625) polymorphism. To analyze the relation between TPH2 G-703T variants and the impulsive/aggressive/anxious phenotype, mediation analyses were performed using behavioral and MRI data as potential mediators. RESULTS We found that the relation between TPH2 G-703T and aggression as part of the reverse Tph2- /- phenotype was mediated by structure and function of the right middle and inferior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION At the example of trait aggression, our results support the assumption that the Tph2 null mutant mouse reflects the TPH2 G-703T-dependent phenotype in humans. Additionally, we conclude that "reverse phenotyping" is a promising method to validate experimental models and human findings for refined analysis of disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atae Akhrif
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arunima Roy
- The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Katharina Peters
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Schmitt-Böhrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Neufang
- Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Heinrich, Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Spagnolo PA, Norato G, Maurer CW, Goldman D, Hodgkinson C, Horovitz S, Hallett M. Effects of TPH2 gene variation and childhood trauma on the clinical and circuit-level phenotype of functional movement disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:814-821. [PMID: 32576619 PMCID: PMC7402460 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-322636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional movement disorders (FMDs), part of the wide spectrum of functional neurological disorders (conversion disorders), are common and often associated with a poor prognosis. Nevertheless, little is known about their neurobiological underpinnings, particularly with regard to the contribution of genetic factors. Because FMD and stress-related disorders share a common core of biobehavioural manifestations, we investigated whether variants in stress-related genes also contributed, directly and interactively with childhood trauma, to the clinical and circuit-level phenotypes of FMD. METHODS Sixty-nine patients with a 'clinically defined' diagnosis of FMD were genotyped for 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 14 candidate genes. FMD clinical characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity and symptomatology, and childhood trauma exposure were assessed. Resting-state functional connectivity data were obtained in a subgroup of 38 patients with FMD and 38 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Amygdala-frontal connectivity was analysed using a whole-brain seed-based approach. RESULTS Among the SNPs analysed, a tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) gene polymorphism-G703T-significantly predicted clinical and neurocircuitry manifestations of FMD. Relative to GG homozygotes, T carriers were characterised by earlier FMD age of onset and decreased connectivity between the right amygdala and the middle frontal gyrus. Furthermore, the TPH2 genotype showed a significant interaction with childhood trauma in predicting worse symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS This is, to our knowledge, the first study showing that the TPH2 genotype may modulate FMD both directly and interactively with childhood trauma. Because both this polymorphism and early-life stress alter serotonin levels, our findings support a potential molecular mechanism modulating FMD phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Primavera A Spagnolo
- Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute on Nuerological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gina Norato
- Office of Biostatistics, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Carine W Maurer
- Department of Neurology, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - David Goldman
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Colin Hodgkinson
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Silvina Horovitz
- Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute on Nuerological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Hallett
- Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute on Nuerological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Servaas MN, Geerligs L, Bastiaansen JA, Renken RJ, Marsman JBC, Nolte IM, Ormel J, Aleman A, Riese H. Associations between genetic risk, functional brain network organization and neuroticism. Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 11:1581-1591. [PMID: 27743374 PMCID: PMC5707236 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-016-9626-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neuroticism and genetic variation in the serotonin-transporter (SLC6A4) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene are risk factors for psychopathology. Alterations in the functional integration and segregation of neural circuits have recently been found in individuals scoring higher on neuroticism. The aim of the current study was to investigate how genetic risk factors impact functional network organization and whether genetic risk factors moderate the association between neuroticism and functional network organization. We applied graph theory analysis on resting-state fMRI data in a sample of 120 women selected based on their neuroticism score, and genotyped two polymorphisms: 5-HTTLPR (S-carriers and L-homozygotes) and COMT (rs4680-rs165599; COMT risk group and COMT non-risk group). For the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, we found that subnetworks related to cognitive control show less connections with other subnetworks in S-carriers compared to L-homozygotes. The COMT polymorphism moderated the association between neuroticism and functional network organization. We found that neuroticism was associated with lower efficiency coefficients in visual and somatosensory-motor subnetworks in the COMT risk group compared to the COMT non-risk group. The findings of altered topology of specific subnetworks point to different cognitive-emotional processes that may be affected in relation to the genetic risk factors, concerning emotion regulation in S-carriers (5-HTTLPR) and emotional salience processing in COMT risk carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle N Servaas
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Linda Geerligs
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - Jojanneke A Bastiaansen
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Remco J Renken
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan-Bernard C Marsman
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ilja M Nolte
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Ormel
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - André Aleman
- Neuroimaging Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700, AD, Groningen, the Netherlands.,Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2, 9712, TS, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Harriëtte Riese
- Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Luht K, Eensoo D, Tooding LM, Harro J. The association of measures of the serotonin system, personality, alcohol use, and smoking with risk-taking traffic behavior in adolescents in a longitudinal study. Nord J Psychiatry 2018; 72:9-16. [PMID: 28844162 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2017.1368702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the neurobiological basis of risk-taking behavior have most often focused on the serotonin system. The promoter region of the gene encoding the serotonin transporter contains a polymorphic site (5-HTTLPR) that is important for the transcriptional activity, and studies have demonstrated its association with brain activity and behavior. Another molecular mechanism that reflects the capacity of the central serotonin system is the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) as measured in platelets. The purpose of the present study was to examine how measures of the serotonin system (platelet MAO activity and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism), personality variables, alcohol use and smoking are associated with risk-taking traffic behavior in schoolchildren through late adolescence. The younger cohort of the longitudinal Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (originally n = 583) filled in questionnaires about personality traits, smoking status, alcohol use and traffic behavior at age 15 and 18 years. From venous blood samples, platelet MAO activity was measured radioenzymatically and 5-HTTLPR was genotyped. During late adolescence, subjects with lower platelet MAO activity were more likely to belong to the high-risk traffic behavior group. Male 5-HTTLPRs'-allele carriers were more likely to belong to the high-risk traffic behavior group compared to the l'/l' homozygotes. Other variables predicting risk group were alcohol use, smoking and Maladaptive impulsivity.The results suggest that lower capacity of the serotoninergic system is associated with more risky traffic behavior during late adolescence, but possibly by different mechanisms in boys and girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadi Luht
- a Institute of Education , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia.,b Rescue College , Estonian Academy of Security Sciences , Tallinn , Estonia
| | - Diva Eensoo
- c Institute of Social Studies , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Liina-Mai Tooding
- c Institute of Social Studies , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Jaanus Harro
- d Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
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8
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Klein M, van Donkelaar M, Verhoef E, Franke B. Imaging genetics in neurodevelopmental psychopathology. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2017; 174:485-537. [PMID: 29984470 PMCID: PMC7170264 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are defined by highly heritable problems during development and brain growth. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID) are frequent neurodevelopmental disorders, with common comorbidity among them. Imaging genetics studies on the role of disease-linked genetic variants on brain structure and function have been performed to unravel the etiology of these disorders. Here, we reviewed imaging genetics literature on these disorders attempting to understand the mechanisms of individual disorders and their clinical overlap. For ADHD and ASD, we selected replicated candidate genes implicated through common genetic variants. For ID, which is mainly caused by rare variants, we included genes for relatively frequent forms of ID occurring comorbid with ADHD or ASD. We reviewed case-control studies and studies of risk variants in healthy individuals. Imaging genetics studies for ADHD were retrieved for SLC6A3/DAT1, DRD2, DRD4, NOS1, and SLC6A4/5HTT. For ASD, studies on CNTNAP2, MET, OXTR, and SLC6A4/5HTT were found. For ID, we reviewed the genes FMR1, TSC1 and TSC2, NF1, and MECP2. Alterations in brain volume, activity, and connectivity were observed. Several findings were consistent across studies, implicating, for example, SLC6A4/5HTT in brain activation and functional connectivity related to emotion regulation. However, many studies had small sample sizes, and hypothesis-based, brain region-specific studies were common. Results from available studies confirm that imaging genetics can provide insight into the link between genes, disease-related behavior, and the brain. However, the field is still in its early stages, and conclusions about shared mechanisms cannot yet be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein van Donkelaar
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Verhoef
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Neufang S, Akhrif A, Herrmann CG, Drepper C, Homola GA, Nowak J, Waider J, Schmitt AG, Lesch KP, Romanos M. Serotonergic modulation of 'waiting impulsivity' is mediated by the impulsivity phenotype in humans. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e940. [PMID: 27824354 PMCID: PMC5314122 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In rodents, the five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) has been established as a reliable measure of waiting impulsivity being defined as the ability to regulate a response in anticipation of reinforcement. Key brain structures are the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and prefrontal regions (for example, pre- and infralimbic cortex), which are, together with other transmitters, modulated by serotonin. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined 103 healthy males while performing the 5-CSRTT measuring brain activation in humans by means of a paradigm that has been widely applied in rodents. Subjects were genotyped for the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2; G-703T; rs4570625) variant, an enzyme specific for brain serotonin synthesis. We addressed neural activation patterns of waiting impulsivity and the interaction between the NAcc and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) using dynamic causal modeling. Genetic influence was examined via interaction analyses between the TPH2 genotype (GG homozygotes vs T allele carriers) and the degree of impulsivity as measured by the 5-CSRTT. We found that the driving input of the vmPFC was reduced in highly impulsive T allele carriers (reflecting a reduced top-down control) in combination with an enhanced response in the NAcc after correct target processing (reflecting an augmented response to monetary reward). Taken together, we found a high overlap of our findings with reports from animal studies in regard to the underlying cognitive processes, the brain regions associated with waiting impulsivity and the neural interplay between the NAcc and vmPFC. Therefore, we conclude that the 5-CSRTT is a promising tool for translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Neufang
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany,Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Fuechsleinstrasse 15, Wuerzburg D-97080, Germany. E-mail:
| | - A Akhrif
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - C G Herrmann
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - C Drepper
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - G A Homola
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - J Nowak
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany,Department of Radiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - J Waider
- Center of Mental Health, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - A G Schmitt
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - K-P Lesch
- Center of Mental Health, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - M Romanos
- Center of Mental Health, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Furmark T, Marteinsdottir I, Frick A, Heurling K, Tillfors M, Appel L, Antoni G, Hartvig P, Fischer H, Långström B, Eriksson E, Fredrikson M. Serotonin synthesis rate and the tryptophan hydroxylase-2: G-703T polymorphism in social anxiety disorder. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:1028-35. [PMID: 27189957 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116648317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
It is disputed whether anxiety disorders, like social anxiety disorder, are characterized by serotonin over- or underactivity. Here, we evaluated whether our recent finding of elevated neural serotonin synthesis rate in patients with social anxiety disorder could be reproduced in a separate cohort, and whether allelic variation in the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) G-703T polymorphism relates to differences in serotonin synthesis assessed with positron emission tomography. Eighteen social anxiety disorder patients and six healthy controls were scanned during 60 minutes in a resting state using positron emission tomography and 5-hydroxy-L-[β -(11)C]tryptophan, [(11)C]5-HTP, a substrate of the second enzymatic step in serotonin synthesis. Parametric images were generated, using the reference Patlak method, and analysed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8). Blood samples for genotyping of the TPH2 G-703T polymorphism were obtained from 16 social anxiety disorder patients (T carriers: n=5, GG carriers: n=11). A significantly elevated [(11)C]5-HTP accumulation rate, indicative of enhanced decarboxylase activity and thereby serotonin synthesis capacity, was detected in social anxiety disorder patients compared with controls in the hippocampus and basal ganglia nuclei and, at a more lenient (uncorrected) statistical threshold, in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex. In patients, the serotonin synthesis rate in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex was significantly elevated in TPH2 T carriers in comparison with GG homozygotes. Our results support that social anxiety disorder entails an overactive presynaptic serotonergic system that, in turn, seems functionally influenced by the TPH2 G-703T polymorphism in emotionally relevant brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Furmark
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ina Marteinsdottir
- Centre for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Andreas Frick
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Heurling
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Tillfors
- Centre for Health and Medical Psychology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Lieuwe Appel
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Antoni
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Hartvig
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Långström
- Department of Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Odense University Hospital, Southern Denmark University, Odense, Denmark
| | - Elias Eriksson
- Department of Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Mats Fredrikson
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Nobile M, Bianchi V, Monzani D, Beri S, Bellina M, Greco A, Colombo P, Tesei A, Caldirola D, Giorda R, Perna G, Molteni M. Effect of family structure and TPH2 G-703T on the stability of dysregulation profile throughout adolescence. J Affect Disord 2016; 190:576-584. [PMID: 26583347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.10.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two different polymorphisms (TPH2 G-703T and 5-HTTLPR) involved in the serotonergic pathway have been reported to play a role, both alone and in interaction with the environment, in early and adult emotion regulation. As most of these studies are cross-sectional, we know little about the impact of these polymorphisms over time, particularly during adolescence. METHODS Because we were interested in the effects of these polymorphisms and environment (i.e., family structure) at different time-points on the emotional dysregulation profile, we performed a path analysis model in a general adolescent population sample of a five-year follow-up study. RESULTS We found a high stability of Dysregulation Profile problems independently from the examined allelic variants. We also found that early family structure directly influences the levels of dysregulation problems in early adolescence, both alone and in interaction with TPH2, suggesting the presence of a gene-environment interaction effect. Furthermore, we found that in adolescents homozygous for the TPH2 G allele, the effect of the early family structure remains active during late adolescence, albeit mediated by earlier emotional problems. LIMITATIONS The high attrition rate, the use of only one source on behavioral problems of adolescents, and the focus on a single polymorphism in the investigated genes could limit the generalizability of the present results. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that early family structure could play a significant role in the development and maintenance of emotional and behavioral problems not only in early adolescence but also in late-adolescence, although this effect was mediated and moderated by behavioral and genetic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nobile
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hermanas Hospitalarias, FoRiPsi, Albese con Cassano, Italy.
| | - Valentina Bianchi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy; Institute of Molecular Imaging and Physiology, National Research Council, Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Monzani
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Beri
- Molecular Biology Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Monica Bellina
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Andrea Greco
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Colombo
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tesei
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Daniela Caldirola
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hermanas Hospitalarias, FoRiPsi, Albese con Cassano, Italy
| | - Roberto Giorda
- Molecular Biology Lab, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Perna
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hermanas Hospitalarias, FoRiPsi, Albese con Cassano, Italy
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
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12
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Effect of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene polymorphism G-703 T on personality in a population representative sample. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 57:31-5. [PMID: 25455586 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene (TPH2) is coding for the key enzyme of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in the brain and has been associated with a number of psychiatric conditions. A functional variation in the TPH2 gene (G-703T, rs4570625) has been found to affect anxiety-related personality; however, information is very limited regarding the five factor model (FFM) personality traits. We have examined the association of the TPH2 G-703T polymorphism with FFM personality traits, and the possible modulation by the functional variation in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) in a large longitudinal population representative sample. The FFM personality traits were assessed in both birth cohorts of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study at ages 15 (n=742) and 18 (n=834). Significant association of the TPH2 genotype with Neuroticism and Conscientiousness was found at age 15, and with Extraversion and Conscientiousness at age 18. Participants with the T/T genotype scored significantly lower on Neuroticism and higher on Conscientiousness and Extraversion scales. In addition, a gene×gene interaction effect on Conscientiousness was revealed: the TPH2 genotype effect was evident only in the 5-HTTLPR S-allele carriers. These results provide further evidence on the possible role of genetic variations in 5-HT neurotransmission on development of personality traits, and suggest a functional interaction between two key proteins in the 5-HT-ergic system.
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Ko CH, Long CY, Yen CF, Chen CS, Wang PW, Yen JY. Gonadotrophic hormone and reinforcement sensitivity systems in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2014; 68:785-94. [PMID: 24735107 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM Behavior inhibition and behavior approach system (BIS/BAS) determine the sensitivity to aversion and rewarding stimuli, respectively. This study aimed at evaluating the BIS/BAS of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and effect of estrogen and progesterone on the BIS/BAS. METHODS Women with PMDD without treatment and control subjects were recruited from the community. The PMDD diagnosis was based on psychiatric interviewing and the result of two-menstrual-cycle follow up. A total of 67 women with PMDD and 75 control subjects were recruited and entered the final analysis. They were evaluated with BIS/BAS scale and for estrogen and progesterone levels in both premenstrual and follicular phases. RESULTS The results revealed that BAS score was higher among women with PMDD in both premenstrual and follicular phases. Progesterone level negatively correlated with fun-seeking, and its change in the menstrual cycle also negatively correlated to a change in fun-seeking score among women with PMDD. Women with PMDD had a higher score in BIS in the premenstrual phase and the BIS score correlated to depression, anxiety, and hostility among them. CONCLUSION These results suggest reward sensitivity of women with PMDD is vulnerable to the effect of progesterone change in the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the sensitivity to aversive stimuli plays an important role involving core symptoms of PMDD. The reinforcement sensitivity of PMDD deserves further detailed study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Hung Ko
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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