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Richter A, de Boer L, Guitart-Masip M, Behnisch G, Seidenbecher CI, Schott BH. Motivational learning biases are differentially modulated by genetic determinants of striatal and prefrontal dopamine function. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2021; 128:1705-1720. [PMID: 34302222 PMCID: PMC8536632 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-021-02382-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Dopaminergic neurotransmission plays a pivotal role in appetitively motivated behavior in mammals, including humans. Notably, action and valence are not independent in motivated tasks, and it is particularly difficult for humans to learn the inhibition of an action to obtain a reward. We have previously observed that the carriers of the DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA A1 allele, that has been associated with reduced striatal dopamine D2 receptor expression, showed a diminished learning performance when required to learn response inhibition to obtain rewards, a finding that was replicated in two independent cohorts. With our present study, we followed two aims: first, we aimed to replicate our finding on the DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA polymorphism in a third independent cohort (N = 99) and to investigate the nature of the genetic effects more closely using trial-by-trial behavioral analysis and computational modeling in the combined dataset (N = 281). Second, we aimed to assess a potentially modulatory role of prefrontal dopamine availability, using the widely studied COMT Val108/158Met polymorphism as a proxy. We first report a replication of the above mentioned finding. Interestingly, after combining all three cohorts, exploratory analyses regarding the COMT Val108/158Met polymorphism suggest that homozygotes for the Met allele, which has been linked to higher prefrontal dopaminergic tone, show a lower learning bias. Our results corroborate the importance of genetic variability of the dopaminergic system in individual learning differences of action-valence interaction and, furthermore, suggest that motivational learning biases are differentially modulated by genetic determinants of striatal and prefrontal dopamine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Richter
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestr. 6, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Lieke de Boer
- Ageing Research Centre, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Center for Lifespan Psychology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Guitart-Masip
- Ageing Research Centre, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gusalija Behnisch
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestr. 6, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Constanze I Seidenbecher
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestr. 6, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Björn H Schott
- Department of Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestr. 6, 39118, Magdeburg, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
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2
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Moravčíková N, Kasarda R, Židek R, Vostrý L, Vostrá-Vydrová H, Vašek J, Čílová D. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Genomic Divergence from Its Ancestors Canis lupus, German Shepherd Dog, and Different Sheepdogs of European Origin. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:832. [PMID: 34071464 PMCID: PMC8228135 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study focused on the genomic differences between the Czechoslovakian wolfdog (CWD) and its ancestors, the Grey wolf (GW) and German Shepherd dog. The Saarloos wolfdog and Belgian Shepherd dog were also included to study the level of GW genetics retained in the genome of domesticated breeds. The dataset consisted of 131 animals and 143,593 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The effects of demographic history on the overall genome structure were determined by screening the distribution of the homozygous segments. The genetic variance distributed within and between groups was quantified by genetic distances, the FST index, and discriminant analysis of principal components. Fine-scale population stratification due to specific morphological and behavioural traits was assessed by principal component and factorial analyses. In the CWD, a demographic history effect was manifested mainly in a high genome-wide proportion of short homozygous segments corresponding to a historical load of inbreeding derived from founders. The observed proportion of long homozygous segments indicated that the inbreeding events shaped the CWD genome relatively recently compared to other groups. Even if there was a significant increase in genetic similarity among wolf-like breeds, they were genetically separated from each other. Moreover, this study showed that the CWD genome carries private alleles that are not found in either wolves or other dog breeds analysed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Moravčíková
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding Biology, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Radovan Kasarda
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding Biology, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Radoslav Židek
- Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
- NU3gen, Pažite 145/7, 010 09 Žilina, Slovakia
| | - Luboš Vostrý
- Department of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (L.V.); (J.V.); (D.Č.)
| | - Hana Vostrá-Vydrová
- Department of Ethology and Companion Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jakub Vašek
- Department of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (L.V.); (J.V.); (D.Č.)
| | - Daniela Čílová
- Department of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (L.V.); (J.V.); (D.Č.)
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3
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Forster J, Duis J, Butler MG. Pharmacodynamic Gene Testing in Prader-Willi Syndrome. Front Genet 2020; 11:579609. [PMID: 33329716 PMCID: PMC7715001 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.579609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder with a complex neurobehavioral phenotype associated with considerable psychiatric co-morbidity. This clinical case series, for the first time, describes the distribution and frequency of polymorphisms of pharmacodynamic genes (serotonin transporter, serotonin 2A and 2C receptors, catechol-o-methyltransferase, adrenergic receptor 2A, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, and human leucocytic antigens) across the two major molecular classes of PWS in a cohort of 33 referred patients who met medical criteria for testing. When results were pooled across PWS genetic subtypes, genotypic and allelic frequencies did not differ from normative population data. However, when the genetic subtype of PWS was examined, there were differences observed across all genes tested that may affect response to psychotropic medication. Due to small sample size, no statistical significance was found, but results suggest that pharmacodynamic gene testing should be considered before initiating pharmacotherapy in PWS. Larger scale studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Duis
- Section of Genetics and Inherited Metabolic Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Merlin G Butler
- Division of Research and Genetics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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4
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Acevedo BP, Poulin MJ, Collins NL, Brown LL. After the Honeymoon: Neural and Genetic Correlates of Romantic Love in Newlywed Marriages. Front Psychol 2020; 11:634. [PMID: 32457675 PMCID: PMC7223160 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In Western culture, romantic love is commonly a basis for marriage. Although it is associated with relationship satisfaction, stability, and individual well-being, many couples experience declines in romantic love. In newlyweds, specifically, changes in love predict marital outcomes. However, the biological mechanisms underlying the critical transition to marriage are unknown. Thus, for the first time, we explored the neural and genetic correlates of romantic love in newlyweds. Nineteen first-time newlyweds were scanned (with functional MRI) while viewing face images of the partner versus a familiar acquaintance, around the time of the wedding (T1) and 1 year after (T2). They also provided saliva samples for genetic analysis (AVPR1a rs3, OXTR rs53576, COMT rs4680, and DRD4-7R), and completed self-report measures of relationship quality including the Eros (romantic love) scale. We hypothesized that romantic love is a developed form of the mammalian drive to find, and keep, preferred mates; and that its maintenance is orchestrated by the brain's reward system. Results showed that, at both time points, romantic love maintenance (Eros difference score: T2-T1) was associated with activation of the dopamine-rich substantia nigra in response to face images of the partner. Interactions with vasopressin, oxytocin, and dopamine genes implicated in pair-bonding (AVPR1a rs3, OXTR rs53576, COMT rs4680, and DRD4-7R) also conferred strong activation in the dopamine-rich ventral tegmental area at both time points. Consistent with work highlighting the role of sexual intimacy in relationships, romantic love maintenance showed correlations in the paracentral lobule (genital region) and cortical areas involved in sensory and cognitive processing (occipital, angular gyrus, insular cortex). These findings suggest that romantic love, and its maintenance, are orchestrated by dopamine-, vasopressin- and oxytocin-rich brain regions, as seen in humans and other monogamous animals. We also provide genetic evidence of polymorphisms associated with oxytocin, vasopressin and dopamine function that affect the propensity to sustain romantic love in early stage marriages. We conclude that romantic love maintenance is part of a broad mammalian strategy for reproduction and long-term attachment that is influenced by basic reward circuitry, complex cognitive processes, and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca P. Acevedo
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Michael J. Poulin
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Nancy L. Collins
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Lucy L. Brown
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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5
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Eikemo M, Lobmaier PP, Pedersen ML, Kunøe N, Matziorinis AM, Leknes S, Sarfi M. Intact responses to non-drug rewards in long-term opioid maintenance treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:1456-1463. [PMID: 30928994 PMCID: PMC6785711 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0377-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of non-drug reward processing in addiction could stem from long-term drug use, addiction-related psychosocial stress, or a combination of these. It remains unclear whether long-term opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) disrupts reward processing. Here, we measured subjective and objective reward responsiveness in 26 previously heroin-addicted mothers in >7 years stable OMT with minimal psychosocial stress and illicit drug use. The comparison group was 30 healthy age-matched mothers (COMP). Objective reward responsiveness was assessed in a two-alternative forced-choice task with skewed rewards. Results were also compared to performance from an additional 968 healthy volunteers (meta-analytic approach). We further compared subprocesses of reward-based decisions across groups using computational modelling with a Bayesian drift diffusion model of decision making. Self-reported responsiveness to non-drug rewards was high for both groups (means: OMT = 6.59, COMP = 6.67, p = 0.84, BF10 = 0.29), yielding moderate evidence against subjective anhedonia in this OMT group. Importantly, the mothers in OMT also displayed robust reward responsiveness in the behavioral task (t19 = 2.72, p = 0.013, BF10 = 3.98; d = 0.61). Monetary reward changed their task behavior to the same extent as the local comparison group (reward bias OMT = 0.12, COMP = 0.12, p = 0.96, BF10 = 0.18) and in line with data from 968 healthy controls previously tested. Computational modelling revealed that long-term OMT did not even change decision subprocesses underpinning reward behavior. We conclude that reduced sensitivity to rewards and anhedonia are not necessary consequences of prolonged opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Eikemo
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Division for Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Philipp P Lobmaier
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division for Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mads L Pedersen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- The Intervention Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikolaj Kunøe
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Siri Leknes
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- The Intervention Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica Sarfi
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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6
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Sindermann C, Luo R, Zhang Y, Kendrick KM, Becker B, Montag C. The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism and Reaction to a Transgression: Findings of Genetic Associations in Both Chinese and German Samples. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:148. [PMID: 30127727 PMCID: PMC6088175 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
After a transgression, people often either tend to avoid the transgressor or seek revenge. These tendencies can be investigated via a trait approach and surprisingly little is known about their biological underpinnings. One promising candidate gene polymorphism, which may influence individual differences in avoidance of a transgressor and vengefulness, is the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism known to affect dopaminergic signaling and among others brain activity in situations in which people punish others for their behavior. We therefore investigated the molecular genetics of individual differences in Avoidance Motivation and vengefulness with a focus on this polymorphism. Possible genetic associations were first investigated in a sample of N = 730 Chinese participants (n = 196 females) using buccal cells to extract the DNA for genotyping. To replicate the findings we carried out a parallelized investigation in a sample of N = 585 German participants (n = 399 females). Chinese and German versions of the TRIM-12 and the Vengeance Scale were implemented to assess individual differences in tendencies to react to a transgression. Results show that Met allele carriers of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (Val/Met and Met/Met) score significantly higher on the tendency to avoid a transgressor in the Chinese male and female samples, with an especially pronounced effect in the female subgroup. The same effect could be found in the German sample, again especially in females. Additionally, carrying a Met allele was associated with higher vengefulness in the Chinese sample only, especially in males. The present findings indicate that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism might influence individual differences in the motivation to avoid transgressors across cultures, especially in females. However, its association with vengefulness seems to be more complex and may exhibit some cultural and gender specific effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Sindermann
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ruixue Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Keith M Kendrick
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Benjamin Becker
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Christian Montag
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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7
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Corral-Frías NS, Pizzagalli DA, Carré JM, Michalski LJ, Nikolova YS, Perlis RH, Fagerness J, Lee MR, Conley ED, Lancaster TM, Haddad S, Wolf A, Smoller JW, Hariri AR, Bogdan R. COMT Val(158) Met genotype is associated with reward learning: a replication study and meta-analysis. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 15:503-13. [PMID: 27138112 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Identifying mechanisms through which individual differences in reward learning emerge offers an opportunity to understand both a fundamental form of adaptive responding as well as etiological pathways through which aberrant reward learning may contribute to maladaptive behaviors and psychopathology. One candidate mechanism through which individual differences in reward learning may emerge is variability in dopaminergic reinforcement signaling. A common functional polymorphism within the catechol-O-methyl transferase gene (COMT; rs4680, Val(158) Met) has been linked to reward learning, where homozygosity for the Met allele (linked to heightened prefrontal dopamine function and decreased dopamine synthesis in the midbrain) has been associated with relatively increased reward learning. Here, we used a probabilistic reward learning task to asses response bias, a behavioral form of reward learning, across three separate samples that were combined for analyses (age: 21.80 ± 3.95; n = 392; 268 female; European-American: n = 208). We replicate prior reports that COMT rs4680 Met allele homozygosity is associated with increased reward learning in European-American participants (β = 0.20, t = 2.75, P < 0.01; ΔR(2) = 0.04). Moreover, a meta-analysis of 4 studies, including the current one, confirmed the association between COMT rs4680 genotype and reward learning (95% CI -0.11 to -0.03; z = 3.2; P < 0.01). These results suggest that variability in dopamine signaling associated with COMT rs4680 influences individual differences in reward which may potentially contribute to psychopathology characterized by reward dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Corral-Frías
- Psychiatry Department, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,BRAIN Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - D A Pizzagalli
- Center For Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research and Neuroimaging Center, McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - J M Carré
- Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - L J Michalski
- BRAIN Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Y S Nikolova
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R H Perlis
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Fagerness
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M R Lee
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - T M Lancaster
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - S Haddad
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Wolf
- Department of Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J W Smoller
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A R Hariri
- Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - R Bogdan
- BRAIN Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Kohno M, Nurmi EL, Laughlin CP, Morales AM, Gail EH, Hellemann GS, London ED. Functional Genetic Variation in Dopamine Signaling Moderates Prefrontal Cortical Activity During Risky Decision Making. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:695-703. [PMID: 26119471 PMCID: PMC4707816 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Brain imaging has revealed links between prefrontal activity during risky decision-making and striatal dopamine receptors. Specifically, striatal dopamine D2-like receptor availability is correlated with risk-taking behavior and sensitivity of prefrontal activation to risk in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). The extent to which these associations, involving a single neurochemical measure, reflect more general effects of dopaminergic functioning on risky decision making, however, is unknown. Here, 65 healthy participants provided genotypes and performed the BART during functional magnetic resonance imaging. For each participant, dopamine function was assessed using a gene composite score combining known functional variation across five genes involved in dopaminergic signaling: DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, DAT1, and COMT. The gene composite score was negatively related to dorsolateral prefrontal cortical function during risky decision making, and nonlinearly related to earnings on the task. Iterative permutations of all possible allelic variations (7777 allelic combinations) was tested on brain function in an independently defined region of the prefrontal cortex and confirmed empirical validity of the composite score, which yielded stronger association than 95% of all other possible combinations. The gene composite score also accounted for a greater proportion of variability in neural and behavioral measures than the independent effects of each gene variant, indicating that the combined effects of functional dopamine pathway genes can provide a robust assessment, presumably reflecting the cumulative and potentially interactive effects on brain function. Our findings support the view that the links between dopaminergic signaling, prefrontal function, and decision making vary as a function of dopamine signaling capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milky Kohno
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erika L Nurmi
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher P Laughlin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Angelica M Morales
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emma H Gail
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gerhard S Hellemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edythe D London
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Semel Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA,Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA, Tel: +310 825 0606, Fax: +310 825 0812, E-mail:
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9
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Weeland J, Overbeek G, de Castro BO, Matthys W. Underlying Mechanisms of Gene-Environment Interactions in Externalizing Behavior: A Systematic Review and Search for Theoretical Mechanisms. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2015; 18:413-42. [PMID: 26537239 PMCID: PMC4637001 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-015-0196-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, several candidate genes (i.e., MAOA, DRD4, DRD2, DAT1, 5-HTTLPR, and COMT) have been extensively studied as potential moderators of the detrimental effects of postnatal family adversity on child externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and conduct disorder. Many studies on such candidate gene by environment interactions (i.e., cG × E) have been published, and the first part of this paper offers a systematic review and integration of their findings (n = 53). The overview shows a set of heterogeneous findings. However, because of large differences between studies in terms of sample composition, conceptualizations, and power, it is difficult to determine if different findings indeed illustrate inconsistent cG × E findings or if findings are simply incomparable. In the second part of the paper, therefore, we argue that one way to help resolve this problem is the development of theory-driven a priori hypotheses on which biopsychosocial mechanisms might underlie cG × E. Such a theoretically based approach can help us specify our research strategies, create more comparable findings, and help us interpret different findings between studies. In accordance, we describe three possible explanatory mechanisms, based on extant literature on the concepts of (1) emotional reactivity, (2) reward sensitivity, and (3) punishment sensitivity. For each mechanism, we discuss the link between the putative mechanism and externalizing behaviors, the genetic polymorphism, and family adversity. Possible research strategies to test these mechanisms, and implications for interventions, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Weeland
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, PO Box 15.804, 1001 NH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Geertjan Overbeek
- Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Orobio de Castro
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, PO Box 15.804, 1001 NH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Matthys
- Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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10
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Yildirim BO, Derksen JJL. Mesocorticolimbic dopamine functioning in primary psychopathy: A source of within-group heterogeneity. Psychiatry Res 2015; 229:633-77. [PMID: 26277034 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite similar emotional deficiencies, primary psychopathic individuals can be situated on a continuum that spans from controlled to disinhibited. The constructs on which primary psychopaths are found to diverge, such as self-control, cognitive flexibility, and executive functioning, are crucially regulated by dopamine (DA). As such, the goal of this review is to examine which specific alterations in the meso-cortico-limbic DA system and corresponding genes (e.g., TH, DAT, COMT, DRD2, DRD4) might bias development towards a more controlled or disinhibited expression of primary psychopathy. Based on empirical data, it is argued that primary psychopathy is generally related to a higher tonic and population activity of striatal DA neurons and lower levels of D2-type DA receptors in meso-cortico-limbic projections, which may boost motivational drive towards incentive-laden goals, dampen punishment sensitivity, and increase future reward-expectancy. However, increasingly higher levels of DA activity in the striatum (moderate versus pathological elevations), lower levels of DA functionality in the prefrontal cortex, and higher D1-to-D2-type receptor ratios in meso-cortico-limbic projections may lead to increasingly disinhibited and impetuous phenotypes of primary psychopathy. Finally, in order to provide a more coherent view on etiological mechanisms, we discuss interactions between DA and serotonin that are relevant for primary psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bariş O Yildirim
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Radboud University Nijmegen, De Kluyskamp 1002, 6545 JD Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan J L Derksen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Room: A.07.04B, Radboud University Nijmegen, Montessorilaan 3, 6525 HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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11
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Guillot CR, Fanning JR, Liang T, Berman ME. COMT Associations with Disordered Gambling and Drinking Measures. J Gambl Stud 2015; 31:513-24. [PMID: 24390676 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-013-9434-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Disordered gambling and alcohol dependence are influenced by unique and shared genetic factors. Although the evidence is mixed, some research has linked catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 (or COMT Val158Met) to the development of gambling or drinking problems; however, no molecular genetic study has jointly examined gambling and drinking problems. Furthermore, the majority of past studies examined gambling or drinking problems using a case-control design. The purpose of the current study was to examine associations of COMT rs4680 with dimensionally and categorically measured gambling and drinking problems in a nonclinical sample (139 Caucasian adults). The current study found that COMT rs4680 was related to both dimensionally and categorically measured gambling and drinking problems. It appears that the COMT Met/Met genotype may be a genetic risk factor that contributes to the development of both gambling and drinking problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey R Guillot
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2250 Alcazar St CSC 240, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA,
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12
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CACNA1C risk variant affects reward responsiveness in healthy individuals. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e461. [PMID: 25290268 PMCID: PMC4350510 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The variant at rs1006737 in the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (alpha 1c subunit) CACNA1C gene is reliably associated with both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We investigated whether this risk variant affects reward responsiveness because reward processing is one of the central cognitive-motivational domains implicated in both disorders. In a sample of 164 young, healthy individuals, we show a dose-dependent response, where the rs1006737 risk genotype was associated with blunted reward responsiveness, whereas discriminability did not significantly differ between genotype groups. This finding suggests that the CACNA1C risk locus may have a role in neural pathways that facilitate value representation for rewarding stimuli. Impaired reward processing may be a transdiagnostic phenotype of variation in CACNA1C that could contribute to anhedonia and other clinical features common to both affective and psychotic disorders.
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13
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Wendt L, Albring A, Benson S, Engler H, Engler A, Hinney A, Rief W, Witzke O, Schedlowski M. Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is associated with somatosensory amplification and nocebo responses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107665. [PMID: 25222607 PMCID: PMC4164653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A large number of unwanted adverse events and symptoms reported by patients in clinical trials are not caused by the drug provided, since most of adverse events also occur in corresponding placebo groups. These nocebo effects also play a major role in drug discontinuation in clinical practice, negatively affecting treatment efficacy as well as patient adherence and compliance. Experimental and clinical data document a large interindividual variability in nocebo responses, however, data on psychological, biological or genetic predictors of nocebo responses are lacking. Thus, with an established paradigm of behaviorally conditioned immunosuppressive effects we analyzed possible genetic predictors for nocebo responses. We focused on the genetic polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val158Met) and analyzed drug specific and general side effects before and after immunosuppressive medication and subsequent placebo intake in 62 healthy male subjects. Significantly more drug-specific as well as general side effects were reported from homozygous carriers of the Val158 variant during medication as well as placebo treatment compared to the other genotype groups. Val158/Val158 carriers also had significantly higher scores in the somatosensory amplification scale (SSAS) and the BMQ (beliefs about medicine questionnaire). Together these data demonstrate potential genetic and psychological variables predicting nocebo responses after drug and placebo intake, which might be utilized to minimize nocebo effects in clinical trials and medical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Wendt
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Antje Albring
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sven Benson
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andrea Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Division of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Manfred Schedlowski
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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14
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Katz AC, Sarapas C, Bishop JR, Patel SR, Shankman SA. The mediating effect of prefrontal asymmetry on the relationship between the COMT Val(158)Met SNP and trait consummatory positive affect. Cogn Emot 2014; 29:867-81. [PMID: 25195915 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2014.951030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The Val(158)Met rs4680 polymorphism in the COMT gene regulates dopamine catabolism in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Dopamine's involvement in reward experience suggests those with the methionine (Met) variant may exhibit trait-level sensitivity to reward due to more post-synaptic dopamine in the PFC. A physiological mediator of this association may be greater relative left asymmetry in the PFC, a putative biomarker for trait positive emotionality. Electroencephalograms of 120 participants were measured during a task that assesses two aspects of reward processing: pre-reward anticipation and post-reward consummatory affect. Participants provided genetics samples and completed the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), which assesses trait-level anticipatory and consummatory positive affect. Met carriers had higher TEPS-Consummatory scores. This effect was mediated by greater relative left activation in the post-reward phase of the task. No effects were observed for the pre-reward phase. Results suggest that frontal asymmetry is an endophenotype between COMT genotype and trait reward responsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Katz
- a Department of Psychology , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
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15
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Baeken C, Marinazzo D, Claes S, Wu GR, Van Schuerbeek P, De Mey J, Luypaert R, De Raedt R. COMT Val(158)Met genotypes differentially influence subgenual cingulate functional connectivity in healthy females. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:481. [PMID: 25071511 PMCID: PMC4074702 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain imaging studies have consistently shown subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortical (sgACC) involvement in emotion processing. catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val(158) and Met(158) polymorphisms may influence such emotional brain processes in specific ways. Given that resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) may increase our understanding on brain functioning, we integrated genetic and rsfMRI data and focused on sgACC functional connections. No studies have yet investigated the influence of the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism (rs4680) on sgACC resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in healthy individuals. A homogeneous group of 61 Caucasian right-handed healthy female university students, all within the same age range, underwent rsfMRI. Compared to Met(158) homozygotes, Val(158) allele carriers displayed significantly stronger rsFC between the sgACC and the left parahippocampal gyrus, ventromedial parts of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). On the other hand, compared to Val(158) homozygotes, we found in Met(158) allele carriers stronger sgACC rsFC with the medial frontal gyrus (MFG), more in particular the anterior parts of the medial orbitofrontal cortex. Although we did not use emotional or cognitive tasks, our sgACC rsFC results point to possible distinct differences in emotional and cognitive processes between Val(158) and Met(158) allele carriers. However, the exact nature of these directions remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Baeken
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University Ghent, Belgium ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital (UZBrussel) Brussels, Belgium ; Ghent Experimental Psychiatry (GHEP) Lab, Ghent University Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Stephan Claes
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital (UZLeuven) Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guo-Rong Wu
- Department of Data Analysis, Ghent University Ghent, Belgium ; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University Chongqing, China
| | - Peter Van Schuerbeek
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University Hospital (UZBrussel) Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan De Mey
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University Hospital (UZBrussel) Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Luypaert
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University Hospital (UZBrussel) Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rudi De Raedt
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University Ghent, Belgium
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16
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Yang M, Mamy J, Wang Q, Liao YH, Seewoobudul V, Xiao SY, Hao W. The association of 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR gene polymorphisms and borderline personality disorder in female heroin-dependent Chinese subjects. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 50:74-82. [PMID: 24355137 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.12.005] [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: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 11/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the association between the 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR polymorphisms with co-morbid borderline personality disorder (BPD) in female heroin-dependent patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In a case control study, we compared the polymorphic distributions of 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR in 296 female heroin-dependent patients (including 61 patients with BPD and 235 without BPD) and 101 normal females by genotypes, alleles, and interaction between genes. RESULTS Female heroin-dependent subjects with BPD have lower frequency of the high activity allele (L: 4 repeats (4R)) of MAOA-LPR than those female heroin-dependent subjects without BPD, and have higher 5-HTTVNTR 10R/10R genotype frequency than normal female controls, with adjusted P-value<0.05 (after adjusted for multiple testing by 1000-fold permutation tests) respectively. By MDR (Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction) analyses, the interactive effects between MAOA-LPR and 5-HTTVNTR, and among MAOA-LPR, 5-HTTVNTR and rs6311 were close to the significance level (P=0.05) in predicting the risk of co-morbidity of BPD and heroin dependence relative to normal female controls, with 1000-fold permutation testing P-value<0.06 however >0.05 respectively. CONCLUSION 5-HTTVNTR and MAOA-LPR may have independent predictive effects on co-morbid BPD in female heroin-dependent patients; the gene-gene interactions between MAOA-LPR and 5-HTTVNTR, and among MAOA-LPR, 5-HTTVNTR and rs6311 might also be involved in the etiology of this co-morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China; Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jules Mamy
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan-Hui Liao
- Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Vasish Seewoobudul
- Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shui-Yuan Xiao
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Hao
- Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Huppertz C, Bartels M, Groen-Blokhuis MM, Dolan CV, de Moor MHM, Abdellaoui A, van Beijsterveldt CEM, Ehli EA, Hottenga JJ, Willemsen G, Xiao X, Scheet P, Davies GE, Boomsma DI, Hudziak JJ, de Geus EJC. The dopaminergic reward system and leisure time exercise behavior: a candidate allele study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:591717. [PMID: 24734235 PMCID: PMC3964758 DOI: 10.1155/2014/591717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Twin studies provide evidence that genetic influences contribute strongly to individual differences in exercise behavior. We hypothesize that part of this heritability is explained by genetic variation in the dopaminergic reward system. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs in DRD1: rs265981, DRD2: rs6275, rs1800497, DRD3: rs6280, DRD4: rs1800955, DBH: rs1611115, rs2519152, and in COMT: rs4680) and three variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs in DRD4, upstream of DRD5, and in DAT1) were investigated for an association with regular leisure time exercise behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on exercise activities and at least one SNP/VNTR were available for 8,768 individuals aged 7 to 50 years old that were part of the Netherlands Twin Register. Exercise behavior was quantified as weekly metabolic equivalents of task (MET) spent on exercise activities. Mixed models were fitted in SPSS with genetic relatedness as a random effect. RESULTS None of the genetic variants were associated with exercise behavior (P>.02), despite sufficient power to detect small effects. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS We did not confirm that allelic variants involved in dopaminergic function play a role in creating individual differences in exercise behavior. A plea is made for large genome-wide association studies to unravel the genetic pathways that affect this health-enhancing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Huppertz
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Meike Bartels
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria M Groen-Blokhuis
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Conor V Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marleen H M de Moor
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Abdel Abdellaoui
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Erik A Ehli
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, 3720 W. 69th Street Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, USA
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gonneke Willemsen
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xiangjun Xiao
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, 1 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, NH 03755-1404, USA
| | - Paul Scheet
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas M.D., Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1340, P.O. Box 301439, Houston, TX 77230-1439, USA
| | - Gareth E Davies
- Avera Institute for Human Genetics, Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, 3720 W. 69th Street Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57108, USA
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - James J Hudziak
- Department of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Pediatrics, Vermont Center for Children, Youth and Families, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, UHC Campus, Arnold 3, 1 South Prospect, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Eco J C de Geus
- Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Dillon DG, Rosso IM, Pechtel P, Killgore WDS, Rauch SL, Pizzagalli DA. Peril and pleasure: an rdoc-inspired examination of threat responses and reward processing in anxiety and depression. Depress Anxiety 2014; 31:233-49. [PMID: 24151118 PMCID: PMC3951656 DOI: 10.1002/da.22202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As a step toward addressing limitations in the current psychiatric diagnostic system, the National Institute of Mental Health recently developed the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) to stimulate integrative research-spanning self-report, behavior, neural circuitry, and molecular/genetic mechanisms-on core psychological processes implicated in mental illness. Here, we use the RDoC conceptualization to review research on threat responses, reward processing, and their interaction. The first section of the manuscript highlights the pivotal role of exaggerated threat responses-mediated by circuits connecting the frontal cortex, amygdala, and midbrain-in anxiety, and reviews data indicating that genotypic variation in the serotonin system is associated with hyperactivity in this circuitry, which elevates the risk for anxiety and mood disorders. In the second section, we describe mounting evidence linking anhedonic behavior to deficits in psychological functions that rely heavily on dopamine signaling, especially cost/benefit decision making and reward learning. The third section covers recent studies that document negative effects of acute threats and chronic stress on reward responses in humans. The mechanisms underlying such effects are unclear, but the fourth section reviews new optogenetic data in rodents indicating that GABAergic inhibition of midbrain dopamine neurons, driven by activation of the habenula, may play a fundamental role in stress-induced anhedonia. In addition to its basic scientific value, a better understanding of interactions between the neural systems that mediate threat and reward responses may offer relief from the burdensome condition of anxious depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G. Dillon
- Center for Depression; Anxiety and Stress Research; McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Isabelle M. Rosso
- Center for Depression; Anxiety and Stress Research; McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Pia Pechtel
- Center for Depression; Anxiety and Stress Research; McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - William D. S. Killgore
- Center for Depression; Anxiety and Stress Research; McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Scott L. Rauch
- Center for Depression; Anxiety and Stress Research; McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Diego A. Pizzagalli
- Center for Depression; Anxiety and Stress Research; McLean Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
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Malloy-Diniz LF, Lage GM, Campos SB, de Paula JJ, de Souza Costa D, Romano-Silva MA, de Miranda DM, Correa H. Association between the Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158met polymorphism and different dimensions of impulsivity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73509. [PMID: 24039968 PMCID: PMC3769314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct which has been associated with dopaminergic neurotransmission. Nonetheless, until this moment, few studies addressed the relationship between different types of impulsivity and the single nucleotide polymorphism caused by a substitution of valine (val) with methionine (met) in the 158 codon of the Catechol-o-Methyltransferase gene (COMT-val158met). The present study aimed to investigate the association between val158met COMT polymorphism and impulsive behavior measured by two neuropsychological tests. Methodology/Principal Findings We administered two neuropsychological tests, a Continuous Performance Task and the Iowa Gambling Task were applied to 195 healthy participants to characterize their levels of motor, attentional and non-planning impulsivity. Then, subjects were grouped by genotype, and their scores on impulsivity measures were compared. There were no significant differences between group scores on attentional and motor impulsivity. Those participants who were homozygous for the met allele performed worse in the Iowa Gambling Task than val/val and val/met subjects. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that met allele of val158met COMT polymorphism is associated with poor performance in decision-making/cognitive impulsivity task. The results reinforce the hypothesis that val and met alleles of the val158met polymorphism show functional dissociation and are related to different prefrontal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Guilherme Menezes Lage
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Simone Becho Campos
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jonas Jardim de Paula
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danielle de Souza Costa
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Romano-Silva
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Débora Marques de Miranda
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Humberto Correa
- Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas (LIN), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Genetic biomarkers of placebo response: what could it mean for future trial design? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 3:311-314. [PMID: 24049631 DOI: 10.4155/cli.13.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Neuro-genetics of persistent pain. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2013; 23:127-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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