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Liu H, Zhao X, Xue G, Chen C, Dong Q, Gao X, Yang L, Chen C. TTLL11 gene is associated with sustained attention performance and brain networks: A genome-wide association study of a healthy Chinese sample. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12835. [PMID: 36511133 PMCID: PMC9994169 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genetic studies on attention have mainly focused on children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so little systematic research has been conducted on genetic correlates of attention performance and their potential brain mechanisms among healthy individuals. The current study included a genome-wide association study (GWAS, N = 1145 healthy young adults) aimed to identify genes associated with sustained attention and an imaging genetics study (an independent sample of 483 healthy young adults) to examine any identified genes' influences on brain function. The GWAS found that TTLL11 showed genome-wide significant associations with sustained attention, with rs13298112 as the most significant SNP and the GG homozygotes showing more impulsive but also more focused responses than the A allele carriers. A retrospective examination of previously published ADHD GWAS results confirmed an un-reported, small but statistically significant effect of TTLL11 on ADHD. The imaging genetics study replicated this association and showed that the TTLL11 gene was associated with resting state activity and connectivity of the somatomoter network, and can be predicted by dorsal attention network connectivity. Specifically, the GG homozygotes showed lower brain activity, weaker brain network connectivity, and non-significant brain-attention association compared to the A allele carriers. Expression database showed that expression of this gene is enriched in the brain and that the G allele is associated with lower expression level than the A allele. These results suggest that TTLL11 may play a major role in healthy individuals' attention performance and may also contribute to the etiology of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Gui Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuansheng Chen
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuping Gao
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Peking University Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Li Yang
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Peking University Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Chunhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and the Gut Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Closing Research Gaps through Female Inclusion in Study Design. WOMEN 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/women2030023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract harbors a densely populated community of microbes that exhibits sexual dimorphism. Dysbiosis of this community has been associated with chronic human disease states ranging from metabolic diseases to neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs). The gut microbiota–gut–brain axis (GMGBA) is a bi-directional pathway that facilitates the interaction of the gut microflora with host physiological functions. Recently, research surrounding the potential roles of the GMGBA in the development of NPDs (e.g., depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)) has increased. However, the role of the GMGBA in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), an NPD that affects an estimated 8.4% of children (5.1% of female and 11.5% of male children) and 4% of adults (with a male–female odds ratio of 1.6) in the United States, remains understudied. Herein, we synthesize the current literature regarding the GMGBA, ADHD, and the potentially relevant intersections between the GMGBA and ADHD. Recommendations are presented for pathways of future research into the role(s) of the GMGBA in ADHD etiology and symptomatology. Particular focus is given to the potential for the variable of host sex to act as an outcome modifier of the relationship between the GMGBA and ADHD.
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van Kempen J, Brandt C, Distler C, Bellgrove MA, Thiele A. Dopamine influences attentional rate modulation in Macaque posterior parietal cortex. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6914. [PMID: 35484302 PMCID: PMC9050696 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10634-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive neuroscience has made great strides in understanding the neural substrates of attention, but our understanding of its neuropharmacology remains incomplete. Although dopamine has historically been studied in relation to frontal functioning, emerging evidence suggests important dopaminergic influences in parietal cortex. We recorded single- and multi-unit activity whilst iontophoretically administering dopaminergic agonists and antagonists while rhesus macaques performed a spatial attention task. Out of 88 units, 50 revealed activity modulation by drug administration. Dopamine inhibited firing rates according to an inverted-U shaped dose-response curve and increased gain variability. D1 receptor antagonists diminished firing rates according to a monotonic function and interacted with attention modulating gain variability. Finally, both drugs decreased the pupil light reflex. These data show that dopamine shapes neuronal responses and modulates aspects of attentional processing in parietal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochem van Kempen
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
| | - Christian Brandt
- Research Unit for ORL - Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Claudia Distler
- Allgemeine Zoologie Und Neurobiologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mark A Bellgrove
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Alexander Thiele
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
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4
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Shalev N, Vangkilde S, Neville MJ, Tunbridge EM, Nobre AC, Chechlacz M. Dissociable Catecholaminergic Modulation of Visual Attention: Differential Effects of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase and Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase Genes on Visual Attention. Neuroscience 2019; 412:175-189. [PMID: 31195057 PMCID: PMC6645579 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Visual attention enables us to prioritise behaviourally relevant visual information while ignoring distraction. The neural networks supporting attention are modulated by two catecholamines, dopamine and noradrenaline. The current study investigated the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms in two catecholaminergic genes – COMT (Val158Met) and DBH (444 G/A) – on individual differences in attention functions. Participants (n = 125) were recruited from the Oxford Biobank by genotype-based recall. They were tested on a continuous performance task (sustained attention), a Go/No-Go task (response inhibition), and a task assessing attentional selection in accordance with the Theory of Visual Attention (TVA). We found a significant effect of DBH genotype status on the capacity to maintain attention over time (sustained attention) as measured by the continuous performance task. Furthermore, we demonstrated a significant association between COMT genotype status and effective threshold of visual perception in attentional selection as estimated based on the TVA task performance. No other group differences in attention function were found with respect to the studied genotypes. Overall, our findings provide novel experimental evidence that: (i) dopaminergic and noradrenergic genotypes have dissociable effects on visual attention; (ii) either insufficient or excessive catecholaminergic activity may have equally detrimental effects on sustained attention. Catecholaminergic genotypes have dissociative cognitive effects on visual attention. DBH (444 G/A) polymorphism affects sustained attention. COMT Val158Met polymorphism affects perceptual threshold in visual attention. Both too little and too much catecholamines may detrimentally impact sustained attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Shalev
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Signe Vangkilde
- Department of Psychology, Center for Visual Cognition, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matt J Neville
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Tunbridge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna C Nobre
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Magdalena Chechlacz
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
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5
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Prehn-Kristensen A, Zimmermann A, Tittmann L, Lieb W, Schreiber S, Baving L, Fischer A. Reduced microbiome alpha diversity in young patients with ADHD. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200728. [PMID: 30001426 PMCID: PMC6042771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
ADHD is a psychiatric disorder which is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity and attention problems. Due to recent findings of microbial involvement in other psychiatric disorders like autism and depression, a role of the gut microbiota in ADHD pathogenesis is assumed but has not yet been investigated. In this study, the gut microbiota of 14 male ADHD patients (mean age: 11.9 yrs.) and 17 male controls (mean age: 13.1 yrs.) was examined via next generation sequencing of 16S rDNA and analyzed for diversity and biomarkers. We found that the microbial diversity (alpha diversity) was significantly decreased in ADHD patients compared to controls (pShannon = 0.036) and that the composition (beta diversity) differed significantly between patients and controls (pANOSIM = 0.033, pADONIS = 0.006, pbetadisper = 0.002). In detail, the bacterial family Prevotellacae was associated with controls, while patients with ADHD showed elevated levels of Bacteroidaceae, and both Neisseriaceae and Neisseria spec. were found as possible biomarkers for juvenile ADHD. Our results point to a possible link of certain microbiota with ADHD, with Neisseria spec. being a very promising ADHD-associated candidate. This finding provides the basis for a systematic, longitudinal assessment of the role of the gut microbiome in ADHD, yielding promising potential for both prevention and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Prehn-Kristensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Centre for Integrative Psychiatry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexandra Zimmermann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Centre for Integrative Psychiatry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lukas Tittmann
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lieb
- Institute for Epidemiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Schreiber
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Clinic of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lioba Baving
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Centre for Integrative Psychiatry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Annegret Fischer
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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6
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Liu L, Cheng J, Su Y, Ji N, Gao Q, Li H, Yang L, Sun L, Qian Q, Wang Y. Deficiency of Sustained Attention in ADHD and Its Potential Genetic Contributor MAOA. J Atten Disord 2018; 22:878-885. [PMID: 25784069 DOI: 10.1177/1087054715574832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the genetic contributors to ADHD sustained attention deficit among noradrenergic genes responsible for the synthesis (dopamine-β-hydroxylase gene, DBH), transport (norepinephrine transporter gene, NET1), reception (alpha-2A adrenergic receptor gene, ADRA2A), and metabolism (monoamine oxidase A gene, MAOA) of noradrenalin (NE). METHOD A total of 456 children with ADHD and 108 normal controls were included in a digit cancellation test (DCT). DNA was collected from 242 participants and genotyped for 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of noradrenergic genes. RESULTS Compared with normal controls, children with ADHD showed a lower total score and higher mean error rate in the DCT, indicating poorer sustained attention function. Analysis of covariance showed an association between MAOA genotypes and ADHD performance in DCT, with poorer performance in risk allele carriers. No association was found for other noradrenergic genes. CONCLUSION Children with ADHD presented with a sustained attention deficit compared with normal controls. The sustained attention deficit of children with ADHD may be associated with genetic variant of MAOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Jia Cheng
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yi Su
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Ning Ji
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Qian Gao
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Haimei Li
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Li Yang
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Li Sun
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Qiujin Qian
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- 1 Peking University Sixth Hospital/Institute of Mental Health; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
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7
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Correa DD, Kryza-Lacombe M, Zhou X, Baser RE, Beattie BJ, Beiene Z, Humm J, DeAngelis LM, Orlow I, Weber W, Osborne J. A pilot study of neuropsychological functions, APOE and amyloid imaging in patients with gliomas. J Neurooncol 2017; 136:613-622. [PMID: 29168082 PMCID: PMC5807139 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-017-2692-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Brain tumor patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) often develop cognitive dysfunction, and recent studies suggest that the APOE ε-4 allele may influence cognitive outcome. The ε-4 allele is known to promote beta (β) amyloid deposition in the cortex, and preliminary evidence suggests that RT may be associated with this process. However, it is unknown whether β-amyloid accumulation contributes to treatment neurotoxicity. In this pilot study, we assessed neuropsychological functions and β-amyloid retention using 18F-florbetaben (FBB) PET in a subset of brain tumor patients who participated in our study of APOE polymorphisms and cognitive functions. Twenty glioma patients treated with conformal RT ± chemotherapy participated in the study: 6 were APOE ε-4 carriers and 14 were non-ε-4 carriers. Patients completed a neuropsychological re-evaluation (mean time interval = 5 years, SD = 0.83) and brain MRI and FBB PET scans. Wilcoxon signed-rank test comparisons between prior and current neuropsychological assessments showed a significant decline in attention (Brief Test of Attention, p = 0.018), and a near significant decline in verbal learning (Hopkins Verbal learning Test-Learning, p = 0.07). Comparisons by APOE status showed significant differences over time in attention/working memory (WAIS-III digits forward, p = 0.028 and digits backward, p = 0.032), with a decline among APOE ε-4 carriers. There were no significant differences in any of the FBB PET analyses between APOE ε-4 carriers and non-ε-4 carriers. The findings suggest that glioma patients may experience worsening in attention and executive functions several years after treatment, and that the APOE ε-4 allele may modulate cognitive decline, but independent of increased β-amyloid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Correa
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
| | - M Kryza-Lacombe
- San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - X Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - R E Baser
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - B J Beattie
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Z Beiene
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Humm
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - L M DeAngelis
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, USA.,Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - I Orlow
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - W Weber
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Osborne
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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McGowan NM, Voinescu BI, Coogan AN. Sleep quality, chronotype and social jetlag differentially associate with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults. Chronobiol Int 2016; 33:1433-1443. [DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2016.1208214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Niall M. McGowan
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Bogdan I. Voinescu
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrew N. Coogan
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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9
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Alemany S, Vilor-Tejedor N, Bustamante M, Pujol J, Macià D, Martínez-Vilavella G, Fenoll R, Alvárez-Pedrerol M, Forns J, Júlvez J, Suades-González E, Llop S, Rebagliato M, Sunyer J. A Genome-Wide Association Study of Attention Function in a Population-Based Sample of Children. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163048. [PMID: 27656889 PMCID: PMC5033492 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Attention function filters and selects behaviorally relevant information. This capacity is impaired in some psychiatric disorders and has been proposed as an endophenotype for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; however, its genetic basis remains largely unknown. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) associated with attention function. Materials and Methods The discovery sample included 1655 children (7–12 years) and the replication sample included 546 children (5–8 years). Five attention outcomes were assessed using the computerized Attentional Network Test (ANT): alerting, orienting, executive attention, Hit Reaction time (HRT) and the standard error of HRT (HRTSE). A Genome-wide Association Study was conducted for each outcome. Gene set enrichment analyses were performed to detect biological pathways associated with attention outcomes. Additional neuroimaging analyses were conducted to test neural effects of detected SNPs of interest. Results Thirteen loci showed suggestive evidence of association with attention function (P<10−5) in the discovery sample. One of them, the rs4321351 located in the PID1 gene, was nominally significant in the replication sample although it did not survive multiple testing correction. Neuroimaging analysis revealed a significant association between this SNP and brain structure and function involving the frontal-basal ganglia circuits. The mTOR signaling and Alzheimer disease-amyloid secretase pathways were significantly enriched for alerting, orienting and HRT respectively (FDR<5%). Conclusion These results suggest for the first time the involvement of the PID1 gene, mTOR signaling and Alzheimer disease-amyloid secretase pathways, in attention function during childhood. These genes and pathways have been proposed to play a role in neuronal plasticity, memory and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Alemany
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Natàlia Vilor-Tejedor
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Pujol
- MRI Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM G21, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dídac Macià
- MRI Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Raquel Fenoll
- MRI Research Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Alvárez-Pedrerol
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Forns
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Genes and Environment, Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jordi Júlvez
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Suades-González
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Learning Disabilities Unit (UTAE); Neuropediatrics Department, Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO−Universitat Jaume I−Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marisa Rebagliato
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO−Universitat Jaume I−Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- University Jaime I (UJI), Castellón, Spain
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Abstract
Negative Priming (NP) is an influential paradigm in cognitive psychology that was originally developed to measure attentional selection. Yet, up to the mid-1990s, a large number of experimental reports questioned whether the NP effect is based on attentional inhibition and/or episodic retrieval processes. In this review, we summarize findings since the mid-1990s and discuss new and old theoretical approaches to Negative Priming. We conclude that more than one process contributes to NP and that future research should analyze the conditions under which a particular process contributes to NP. Moreover, we argue that the paradigm--although it does not measure a single cognitive process alone--is still a useful tool for understanding selection in cognition. In fact, it might be a virtue of the paradigm that several cognitive processes work here together as selection in nonexperimental contexts is surely a multidimensional process. From this perspective, research on NP is relevant for all research fields analyzing selection. We therefore close our review by discussing the implications of the new evidence on NP for theories of selective attention.
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11
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Cholinergic modulation of auditory P3 event-related potentials as indexed by CHRNA4 and CHRNA7 genotype variation in healthy volunteers. Neurosci Lett 2016; 623:36-41. [PMID: 27109789 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction within the realm of attentional processing. Reduced P3a and P3b event-related potentials (ERPs), indexing involuntary and voluntary attentional processing respectively, have been consistently observed in SZ patients who also express prominent cholinergic deficiencies. The involvement of the brain's cholinergic system in attention has been examined for several decades; however, further inquiry is required to further comprehend how abnormalities in this system affect neighbouring neurotransmitter systems and contribute to neurocognitive deficits. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the moderating role of the CHRNA4 (rs1044396), CHRNA7 (rs3087454), and SLC5A7 (rs1013940) genes on ERP indices of attentional processing in healthy volunteers (N=99; Caucasians and non-Caucasians) stratified by genotype and assessed using the auditory P300 "oddball" paradigm. Results indicated significantly greater P3a and P3b-indexed attentional processing for CT (vs. CC) CHRNA4 carriers and greater P3b for AA (vs. CC) CHRNA7 carriers. SLC5A7 allelic variants did not show significant differences in P3a and P3b processing. These findings expand our knowledge on the moderating effect of cholinergic genes on attention and could help inform targeted drug developments aimed at restoring attention deficits in SZ patients.
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12
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Hahn B, Riegger KE, Elmer GI. Strain dependency of the effects of nicotine and mecamylamine in a rat model of attention. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1427-34. [PMID: 26875755 PMCID: PMC4814296 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4236-7] [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: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Processes of attention have a heritable component, suggesting that genetic predispositions may predict variability in the response to attention-enhancing drugs. Among lead compounds with attention-enhancing properties are nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists. OBJECTIVES This study aims to test, by comparing three rat strains, whether genotype may influence the sensitivity to nicotine in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), a rodent model of attention. METHODS Strains tested were Long Evans (LE), Sprague Dawley (SD), and Wistar rats. The 5-CSRTT requires responses to light stimuli presented randomly in one of five locations. The effect of interest was an increased percentage of responses in the correct location (accuracy), the strongest indicator of improved attention. RESULTS Nicotine (0.05-0.2 mg/kg s.c.) reduced omission errors and response latency and increased anticipatory responding in all strains. In contrast, nicotine dose-dependently increased accuracy in Wistar rats only. The nAChR antagonist mecamylamine (0.75-3 mg/kg s.c.) increased omissions, slowed responses, and reduced anticipatory responding in all strains. There were no effects on accuracy, which was surprising giving the clear improvement with nicotine in the Wistar group. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest strain differences in the attention-enhancing effects of nicotine, which would indicate that genetic predispositions predict variability in the efficacy of nAChR compounds for enhancing attention. The absence of effect of mecamylamine on response accuracy may suggest a contribution of nAChR desensitization to the attention-enhancing effects of nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Hahn
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, P.O. Box 21247, Baltimore, MD, 21228, USA.
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Anderson BA, Kronemer SI, Rilee JJ, Sacktor N, Marvel CL. Reward, attention, and HIV-related risk in HIV+ individuals. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 92:157-65. [PMID: 26484383 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often contracted through engaging in risky reward-motivated behaviors such as needle sharing and unprotected sex. Understanding the factors that make an individual more vulnerable to succumbing to the temptation to engage in these risky behaviors is important to limiting the spread of HIV. One potential source of this vulnerability concerns the degree to which an individual is able to resist paying attention to irrelevant reward information. In the present study, we examine this possible link by characterizing individual differences in value-based attentional bias in a sample of HIV+ individuals with varying histories of risk-taking behavior. Participants learned associations between experimental stimuli and monetary reward outcome. The degree of attentional bias for these reward-associated stimuli, reflected in their ability to capture attention when presented as task-irrelevant distractors, was then assessed both immediately and six months following reward learning. Value-driven attentional capture was related to substance abuse history and non-planning impulsiveness during the time leading up to contraction of HIV as measured via self-report. These findings suggest a link between the ability to ignore reward-associated information and prior HIV-related risk-taking behavior. Additionally, particular aspects of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders were related to attentional bias, including motor deficits commonly associated with HIV-induced damage to the basal ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian A Anderson
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States.
| | - Sharif I Kronemer
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Jessica J Rilee
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Ned Sacktor
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Cherie L Marvel
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
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Lundwall RA, Watkins JK. Genetic Influence on Slope Variability in a Childhood Reflexive Attention Task. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130668. [PMID: 26102342 PMCID: PMC4477886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals are not perfectly consistent, and interindividual variability is a common feature in all varieties of human behavior. Some individuals respond more variably than others, however, and this difference may be important to understanding how the brain works. In this paper, we explore genetic contributions to response time (RT) slope variability on a reflexive attention task. We are interested in such variability because we believe it is an important part of the overall picture of attention that, if understood, has the potential to improve intervention for those with attentional deficits. Genetic association studies are valuable in discovering biological pathways of variability and several studies have found such associations with a sustained attention task. Here, we expand our knowledge to include a reflexive attention task. We ask whether specific candidate genes are associated with interindividual variability on a childhood reflexive attention task in 9–16 year olds. The genetic makers considered are on 11 genes: APOE, BDNF, CHRNA4, COMT, DRD4, HTR4, IGF2, MAOA, SLC5A7, SLC6A3, and SNAP25. We find significant associations with variability with markers on nine and we discuss the results in terms of neurotransmitters associated with each gene and the characteristics of the associated measures from the reflexive attention task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Lundwall
- Psychology Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeffrey K. Watkins
- Neuroscience Center, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
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15
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Yamaguchi Y, Lee YA, Goto Y. Dopamine in socioecological and evolutionary perspectives: implications for psychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:219. [PMID: 26136653 PMCID: PMC4468839 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) transmission in brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) plays important roles in cognitive and affective function. As such, DA deficits have been implicated in a number of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Accumulating evidence suggests that DA is also involved in social behavior of animals and humans. Although most animals organize and live in social groups, how the DA system functions in such social groups of animals, and its dysfunction causes compromises in the groups has remained less understood. Here we propose that alterations of DA signaling and associated genetic variants and behavioral phenotypes, which have been normally considered as “deficits” in investigation at an individual level, may not necessarily yield disadvantages, but even work advantageously, depending on social contexts in groups. This hypothesis could provide a novel insight into our understanding of the biological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders, and a potential explanation that disadvantageous phenotypes associated with DA deficits in psychiatric disorders have remained in humans through evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshie Yamaguchi
- Section of Cognition and Learning, Department of Cognitive Science, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University Inuyama, Japan
| | - Young-A Lee
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Catholic University of Daegu Gyeongsan-Si, Korea
| | - Yukiori Goto
- Section of Cognition and Learning, Department of Cognitive Science, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University Inuyama, Japan
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16
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Singh A, Yeh CJ, Verma N, Das AK. Overview of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Young Children. Health Psychol Res 2015; 3:2115. [PMID: 26973960 PMCID: PMC4768532 DOI: 10.4081/hpr.2015.2115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder, which can be seen as a disorder of life time, developing in preschool years and manifesting symptoms (full and/or partial) throughout the adulthood; therefore, it is not surprising that there are no simple solutions. The aim of this paper is to provide a short and concise review which can be used to inform affected children and adults; family members of affected children and adults, and other medical, paramedical, non-medical, and educational professionals about the disorder. This paper has also tried to look into the process of how ADHD develops; what are the associated problems; and how many other children and adults are affected by such problems all over the world basically to understand ADHD more precisely in order to develop a better medical and or non-medical multimodal intervention plan. If preschool teachers and clinicians are aware of what the research tells us about ADHD, the varying theories of its cause, and which areas need further research, the knowledge will assist them in supporting the families of children with ADHD. By including information in this review about the connection between biological behavior, it is hoped that preschool teachers and clinicians at all levels will feel more confident about explaining to parents of ADHD children, and older ADHD children themselves about the probable causes of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Singh
- Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, College of Education and Human Services, Murray State University , Murray, KY, USA
| | - Chia Jung Yeh
- Human Development and Family Science, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University , Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Nidhi Verma
- Department of Psychology, Kurukshetra University , Kurukshetra, India
| | - Ajay Kumar Das
- Department of Adolescent, Career and Special Education, Murray State University , Murray, KY, USA
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17
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Bhaijiwala M, Chevrier A, Schachar R. Withholding and canceling a response in ADHD adolescents. Brain Behav 2014; 4:602-14. [PMID: 25328838 PMCID: PMC4086366 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deficient response inhibition in situations involving a trade-off between response execution and response stopping is a hallmark of attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). There are two key components of response inhibition; reactive inhibition where one attempts to cancel an ongoing response and prospective inhibition is when one withholds a response pending a signal to stop. Prospective inhibition comes into play prior to the presentation of the stop signal and reactive inhibition follows the presentation of a signal to stop a particular action. The aim of this study is to investigate the neural activity evoked by prospective and reactive inhibition in adolescents with and without ADHD. METHODS Twelve adolescents with ADHD and 12 age-matched healthy controls (age range 9-18) were imaged while performing the stop signal task (SST). RESULTS Reactive inhibition activated right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in both groups. ADHD subjects activated IFG bilaterally. In controls, prospective inhibition invoked preactivation of the same part of right IFG that activated during reactive inhibition. In ADHD subjects, prospective inhibition was associated with deactivation in this region. Controls also deactivated the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) during prospective inhibition, whereas ADHD subjects activated the same area. DISCUSSION This pattern of activity changes in the same structures, but in opposite directions, was also evident across all phases of the task in various task-specific areas like the superior and middle temporal gyrus and other frontal areas. CONCLUSION Differences between ADHD and control participants in task-specific and default mode structures (IFG and MPFC) were evident during prospective, but not during reactive inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehereen Bhaijiwala
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto 7213 Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S1A8, Canada ; Neurosciences and Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X8, Canada
| | - Andre Chevrier
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto 7213 Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S1A8, Canada ; Neurosciences and Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X8, Canada
| | - Russell Schachar
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto 7213 Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario, M5S1A8, Canada ; Neurosciences and Mental Health and the Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X8, Canada
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18
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Cummins TDR, Jacoby O, Hawi Z, Nandam LS, Byrne MAV, Kim BN, Wagner J, Chambers CD, Bellgrove MA. Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor gene variants are associated with increased intra-individual variability in response time. Mol Psychiatry 2014; 19:1031-6. [PMID: 24166412 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Intra-individual variability in response time has been proposed as an important endophenotype for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we asked whether intra-individual variability is predicted by common variation in catecholamine genes and whether it mediates the relationship between these gene variants and self-reported ADHD symptoms. A total of 402 non-clinical Australian adults of European descent completed a battery of five cognitive tasks and the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale. Exclusion criteria included the presence of major psychiatric or neurologic illnesses and substance dependency. A total of 21 subjects were excluded due to incomplete data or poor quality cognitive or genotyping data. The final sample comprised 381 subjects (201 males; mean age=21.2 years, s.d.=5.1 years). Principal components analysis on variability measures yielded two factors (response selection variability vs selective attention variability). Association of these factors with catecholamine gene variants was tested using single-step linear regressions, with multiple comparisons controlled using permutation analysis. The response selection variability factor was associated with two ADRA2A single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1800544, rs602618), p corrected=0.004, 0.012, respectively, whereas the selective attention variability factor was associated with a TH SNP (rs3842727), p corrected=0.024. A bootstrapping analysis indicated that the response selection variability factor mediated the relationship between the ADRA2A SNP rs1800544 and self-reported ADHD symptoms. Thus this study finds evidence that DNA variation in the ADRA2A gene may be causally related to ADHD-like behaviors, in part through its influence on intra-individual variability. Evidence was also found for a novel association between a TH gene variant and intra-individual variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- T D R Cummins
- 1] School of Psychology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia [2] Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - O Jacoby
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Z Hawi
- 1] School of Psychology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia [2] Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - L S Nandam
- 1] Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia [2] Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - M A V Byrne
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - B-N Kim
- 1] Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia [2] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - J Wagner
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - C D Chambers
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - M A Bellgrove
- 1] School of Psychology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia [2] Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia [3] School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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19
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Donohoe G, Deary IJ, Glahn DC, Malhotra AK, Burdick KE. Neurocognitive phenomics: examining the genetic basis of cognitive abilities. Psychol Med 2013; 43:2027-2036. [PMID: 23194477 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291712002656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are core to the disability associated with many psychiatric disorders. Both variation in cognition and psychiatric risk show substantial heritability, with overlapping genetic variants contributing to both. Unsurprisingly, therefore, these fields have been mutually beneficial : just as cognitive studies of psychiatric risk variants may identify genes involved in cognition, so too can genome-wide studies based on cognitive phenotypes lead to genes relevant to psychiatric aetiology. The purpose of this review is to consider the main issues involved in the phenotypic characterization of cognition, and to describe the challenges associated with the transition to genomewide approaches. We conclude by describing the approaches currently being taken by the international consortia involving many investigators in the field internationally (e.g. Cognitive Genomics Consortium; COGENT) to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Donohoe
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
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20
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Crosbie J, Arnold P, Paterson A, Swanson J, Dupuis A, Li X, Shan J, Goodale T, Tam C, Strug LJ, Schachar RJ. Response inhibition and ADHD traits: correlates and heritability in a community sample. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2013; 41:497-507. [PMID: 23315233 PMCID: PMC3600128 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-012-9693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Endophenotypes or intermediate phenotypes are of great interest in neuropsychiatric genetics because of their potential for facilitating gene discovery. We evaluated response inhibition, latency and variability measures derived from the stop task as endophenotypes of ADHD by testing whether they were related to ADHD traits in the general population, heritable and shared genetic risk with ADHD traits. Participants were 16,099 children and adolescents, ages 6 to 18 years who visited a local science center. We measured ADHD traits using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-Behavior (SWAN) rating scale and performance on the stop signal task (SST)-response inhibition (SSRT), response latency (GoRT), and response variability (GoRTSD). Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of cognitive measures and ADHD traits while controlling for family, age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and treatment status. Heritability of ADHD and cognitive traits was estimated using SOLAR in 7,483 siblings from 3,507 families that included multiple siblings. Bivariate relationships between pairs of variables were examined. Individuals with greater ADHD trait scores had worse response inhibition, slower response latency, and greater variability. Younger participants and girls had inferior performance although the gender effects were minimal and evident in youngest participants. Inhibition, latency, variability, total ADHD traits, inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores were significantly heritable. ADHD traits and inhibition, but not latency or variability were coheritable. In the largest study in the general population, we found support for the validity of response inhibition as an endophenotype of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Crosbie
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON Canada M5G 1X8
| | - P. Arnold
- Genetics and Genomic Biology Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON Canada M5G 1X8
| | - A. Paterson
- Genetics and Genomic Biology Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - J. Swanson
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Florida International University, University Park, FL USA
- Sackler Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Weill College of Medicine at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY USA
| | - A. Dupuis
- Research Operations, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - X. Li
- Genetics and Genomic Biology Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - J. Shan
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - T. Goodale
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - C. Tam
- Genetics and Genomic Biology Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - L. J. Strug
- Research Operations, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - R. J. Schachar
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON Canada M5G 1X8
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Farbiash T, Berger A, Atzaba-Poria N, Auerbach JG. Prediction of Preschool Aggression from DRD4 Risk, Parental ADHD Symptoms, and Home Chaos. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2013; 42:489-99. [DOI: 10.1007/s10802-013-9791-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Felten A, Montag C, Kranczioch C, Markett S, Walter NT, Reuter M. The DRD2 C957T polymorphism and the attentional blink--a genetic association study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 23:941-7. [PMID: 23084608 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The attentional blink phenomenon (AB) describes a transient deficit in temporally selective visual attention regarding the processing of the second of two target stimuli in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task. The AB is a very prominent paradigm in the Cognitive Neurosciences that has been extensively studied by diverse psychophysiological techniques such as EEG or fMRI. Association studies from molecular genetics are scarce although the high heritability of higher cognitive functioning is proven. Only one seminal study reported an association between AB magnitude and the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) C957T polymorphism (Colzato et al., 2011). This functional polymorphism influences striatal D2 receptor binding affinity and thereby the efficacy of dopaminergic neurotransmission which is important for working memory and attentional processes. Colzato et al. (2011) reported that DRD2 C957T T/T-carriers exhibit a significant smaller AB than C-allele carriers. In the present study this influence of the DRD2 SNP on the AB could not be replicated in N=211 healthy participants. However, a significantly larger lag 1 sparing was observed for homozygous T/T-carriers. Moreover, carriers of at least one T-allele showed a significantly poorer performance in the identification of T1. In general, these results support the notion of a role of the dopaminergic system on the AB. However, as our results do not parallel previous findings the exact nature of this influence and its dependence on task parameters will have to be examined in further genetic association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Felten
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Mascheretti S, Bureau A, Battaglia M, Simone D, Quadrelli E, Croteau J, Cellino MR, Giorda R, Beri S, Maziade M, Marino C. An assessment of gene-by-environment interactions in developmental dyslexia-related phenotypes. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2012; 12:47-55. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Mascheretti
- The Academic Centre for the study of Behavioural Plasticity; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University; Milan; 20132; Italy
| | | | | | - D. Simone
- Department of Child Psychiatry; Scientific Institute Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini; Lecco; 23842; Italy
| | - E. Quadrelli
- Department of Child Psychiatry; Scientific Institute Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini; Lecco; 23842; Italy
| | - J. Croteau
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec; Québec; G1J 2 G3; Canada
| | - M. R. Cellino
- Centro Regionale di Riferimento per i Disturbi dell'Apprendimento - CRRDA, ULSS 20; Verona; 37122; Italy
| | - R. Giorda
- Molecular Biology Laboratory; Scientific Institute Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini; Lecco; 23842; Italy
| | - S. Beri
- Molecular Biology Laboratory; Scientific Institute Eugenio Medea; Bosisio Parini; Lecco; 23842; Italy
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Buka I, Osornio-Vargas A, Clark B. Food additives, essential nutrients and neurodevelopmental behavioural disorders in children: A brief review. Paediatr Child Health 2012; 16:e54-6. [PMID: 22851902 DOI: 10.1093/pch/16.7.e54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, changing lifestyles in Canadian homes has led to demand for foods with long shelf lives that are cosmetically appealing, palatable, easy to prepare and to consume. Food additives, especially preservatives and artificial colours as well as suboptimal intake of essential nutrients, have been linked to hyperactive behaviours and poor attention in a subgroup of children. Although other risk factors (ie, genetic, etc) for these conditions have received more attention in the scientific literature, the authors believe that there is enough evidence to consider dietary influences as a modifiable risk factor. This would involve raising awareness among clinicians and, subsequently, reviewing food regulatory processes to better protect children in Canada - similar to the regulations recently undertaken by the British Food Standards Agency. Conflicts of interest due to food and medication industry support for organizations advocating for children would need to be resolved by open communication between government regulatory agencies, academia and industry. Canadian parents and children need to be advised to limit unnecessary food additives and consume a diet rich in essential nutrients while more complete relationships are being explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Buka
- Pediatric Environmental Health Centre, Misericordia Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
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25
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Lim J, Ebstein R, Tse CY, Monakhov M, Lai PS, Dinges DF, Kwok K. Dopaminergic polymorphisms associated with time-on-task declines and fatigue in the Psychomotor Vigilance Test. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33767. [PMID: 22438994 PMCID: PMC3306301 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged demands on the attention system can cause a decay in performance over time known as the time-on-task effect. The inter-subject differences in the rate of this decline are large, and recent efforts have been made to understand the biological bases of these individual differences. In this study, we investigate the genetic correlates of the time-on-task effect, as well as its accompanying changes in subjective fatigue and mood. N = 332 subjects performed a 20-minute test of sustained attention (the Psychomotor Vigilance Test) and rated their subjective states before and after the test. We observed substantial time-on-task effects on average, and large inter-individual differences in the rate of these declines. The 10-repeat allele of the variable number of tandem repeats marker (VNTR) in the dopamine transporter gene and the Met allele of the catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism were associated with greater vulnerability to time-on-task. Separately, the exon III DRD4 48 bp VNTR of the dopamine receptor gene DRD4 was associated with subjective decreases in energy. No polymorphisms were associated with task-induced changes in mood. We posit that the dopamine transporter and COMT genes exert their effects by increasing dopaminergic tone, which may induce long-term changes in the prefrontal cortex, an important mediator of sustained attention. Thus, these alleles may affect performance particularly when sustained dopamine release is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Lim
- Cognitive Science Lab, Temasek Laboratories, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Miller SM, Ngo TT, van Swinderen B. Attentional switching in humans and flies: rivalry in large and miniature brains. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 5:188. [PMID: 22279432 PMCID: PMC3260559 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2011.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Human perception, and consequently behavior, is driven by attention dynamics. In the special case of rivalry, where attention alternates between competing percepts, such dynamics can be measured and their determinants investigated. A recent study in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, now shows that the origins of attentional rivalry may be quite ancient. Furthermore, individual variation exists in the rate of attentional rivalry in both humans and flies, and in humans this is under substantial genetic influence. In the pathophysiological realm, slowing of rivalry rate is associated with the heritable psychiatric condition, bipolar disorder. Fly rivalry may therefore prove a powerful model to examine genetic and molecular influences on rivalry rate, and may even shed light on human cognitive and behavioral dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Mark Miller
- Perceptual and Clinical Neuroscience Group, Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash UniversityMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Trung Thanh Ngo
- Perceptual and Clinical Neuroscience Group, Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Monash UniversityMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bruno van Swinderen
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of QueenslandBrisbane, QLD, Australia
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Hendershot CS, Lindgren KP, Liang T, Hutchison KE. COMT and ALDH2 polymorphisms moderate associations of implicit drinking motives with alcohol use. Addict Biol 2012; 17:192-201. [PMID: 21309949 PMCID: PMC3117964 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2010.00286.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dual process models of addiction emphasize the importance of implicit (automatic) cognitive processes in the development and maintenance of substance use behavior. Although genetic influences are presumed to be relevant for dual process models, few studies have evaluated this possibility. The current study examined two polymorphisms with functional significance for alcohol use behavior (COMT Val158Met and ALDH2*2) in relation to automatic alcohol cognitions and tested additive and interactive effects of genotype and implicit cognitions on drinking behavior. Participants were college students (n = 69) who completed Implicit Association Tasks (IATs) designed to assess two classes of automatic drinking motives (enhancement motives and coping motives). Genetic factors did not show direct associations with IAT measures; however, COMT and ALDH2 moderated associations of implicit coping motives with drinking outcomes. Interaction effects indicated that associations of implicit motives with drinking outcomes were strongest in the context of genetic variants associated with relatively higher risk for alcohol use (COMT Met and ALDH2*1). Associations of genotype with drinking behavior were observed for ALDH2 but not COMT. These findings are consistent with the possibility that genetic risk or protective factors could potentiate or mitigate the influence of reflexive cognitive processes on drinking behavior, providing support for the evaluation of genetic influences in the context of dual process models of addiction.
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Donev RM, Howell OW. Polymorphisms in neuropsychiatric and neuroinflammatory disorders and the role of next generation sequencing in early diagnosis and treatment. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2012; 89:85-116. [PMID: 23046883 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394287-6.00004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A number of polymorphisms have been implicated in different neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. Polymorphisms in neurological disorders with a central immune component are well described, mainly due to their role in increasing neurodegeneration. For example, the role of polymorphisms in Alzheimer's disease in accumulation of amyloid plaques is now well established. In contrast, polymorphisms resulting in or affecting psychiatric disorders are less well studied and frequently are not replicated by meta-analysis. Furthermore, even if a significant association has been confirmed, the role of the identified polymorphism in causing and/or augmenting the disorder is often difficult to rationalize. Here, we review polymorphisms found associated with different neuroinflammatory and neuropsychiatric disorders and discuss the role of next generation sequencing in early diagnosis and treatment and as a tool in studying their functional consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossen M Donev
- Institute of Life Science, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
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Colzato LS, Slagter HA, de Rover M, Hommel B. Dopamine and the Management of Attentional Resources: Genetic Markers of Striatal D2 Dopamine Predict Individual Differences in the Attentional Blink. J Cogn Neurosci 2011; 23:3576-85. [DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The attentional blink (AB)—a deficit in reporting the second of two target stimuli presented in close succession in a rapid sequence of distracters—has been related to processing limitations in working memory. Given that dopamine (DA) plays a crucial role working memory, the present study tested whether individual differences in the size of the AB can be predicted by differences in genetic predisposition related to the efficiency of dopaminergic pathways. Polymorphisms related to mesocortical and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways were considered, as well as polymorphisms related to norepinephrine (NE), a transmitter system that has also been suspected to play a role in the AB. In a sample of 157 healthy adults, we studied the dependency of the individual magnitude of the AB and the C957T polymorphism at the DRD2 gene (associated with striatal DA/D2 receptors), the DARPP32 polymorphism (associated with striatal DA/D1), the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (associated with frontal DA), DBH444 g/a and DBH5′-ins/del polymorphisms (polymorphisms strongly correlated with DA beta hydroxylase, the enzyme catalyzing the DA–NE conversion) and NET T-182C (a polymorphism related to the NE transporter). DRD2 C957T T/T homozygotes showed a significantly smaller AB, whereas polymorphisms associated with frontal DA and NE were unrelated to performance. This outcome pattern suggests a crucial role of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and of nigrostriatal D2 receptors, in particular, in the management of attentional resources.
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Sarris J, Ng CH, Schweitzer I. ‘Omic’ Genetic Technologies for Herbal Medicines in Psychiatry. Phytother Res 2011; 26:522-7. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Revised: 04/22/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chee Hong Ng
- Professorial Unit, The Melbourne Clinic, Department of Psychiatry; University of Melbourne; Australia
| | - Isaac Schweitzer
- Professorial Unit, The Melbourne Clinic, Department of Psychiatry; University of Melbourne; Australia
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Gong P, Li J, Chi W, Wang J, Yao T, Zhang K, Gao X, Zhang F. Variants in COMT and DBH Influence on Response Inhibition Ability in Chinese Han Females. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2011; 31:1163-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-011-9717-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Barnes JJM, Dean AJ, Nandam LS, O'Connell RG, Bellgrove MA. The molecular genetics of executive function: role of monoamine system genes. Biol Psychiatry 2011; 69:e127-43. [PMID: 21397212 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.12.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Revised: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Executive control processes, such as sustained attention, response inhibition, and error monitoring, allow humans to guide behavior in appropriate, flexible, and adaptive ways. The consequences of executive dysfunction for humans can be dramatic, as exemplified by the large range of both neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders in which such deficits negatively affect outcome and quality of life. Much evidence suggests that many clinical disorders marked by executive deficits are highly heritable and that individual differences in quantitative measures of executive function are strongly driven by genetic differences. Accordingly, intense research effort has recently been directed toward mapping the genetic architecture of executive control processes in both clinical (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and nonclinical populations. Here we review the extant literature on the molecular genetic correlates of three exemplar but dissociable executive functions: sustained attention, response inhibition, and error processing. Our review focuses on monoaminergic gene variants given the strong body of evidence from cognitive neuroscience and pharmacology implicating dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin as neuromodulators of executive function. Associations between DNA variants of the dopamine beta hydroxylase gene and measures of sustained attention accord well with cognitive-neuroanatomical models of sustained attention. Equally, functional variants of the dopamine D2 receptor gene are reliably associated with performance monitoring, error processing, and reinforcement learning. Emerging evidence suggests that variants of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) show promise for explaining significant variance in individual differences in both behavioral and neural measures of inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J M Barnes
- Queensland Brain Institute and School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Gibb BE, Johnson AL, Benas JS, Uhrlass DJ, Knopik VS, McGeary JE. Children's 5-HTTLPR genotype moderates the link between maternal criticism and attentional biases specifically for facial displays of anger. Cogn Emot 2011; 25:1104-20. [PMID: 21895572 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2010.508267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Theorists have proposed that negative experiences in childhood may contribute to the development of experience-specific information-processing biases, including attentional biases. There are also clear genetic influences on cognitive processes, with evidence that polymorphisms in specific candidate genes may moderate the impact of environmental stress on attentional biases (e.g., a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene; 5-HTTLPR). In the current study, we tested a gene×environment (G×E) model of risk for attentional biases. We hypothesised that children whose mothers exhibit high levels of expressed emotion criticism (EE-Crit) would display attentional biases specifically for angry, but not happy or sad, faces, and that this link would be stronger among children carrying one or two copies of the 5-HTTLPR short allele than among those homozygous for the long allele. Results generally supported these hypotheses, though we found that carriers of the 5-HTTLPR short allele who also had a critical mother exhibited attentional avoidance of angry faces rather than preferential attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon E Gibb
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA.
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Psychopathological aspects of dopaminergic gene polymorphisms in adolescence and young adulthood. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2011; 35:1665-86. [PMID: 21527290 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2010] [Revised: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 04/10/2011] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine hypotheses of several psychiatric disorders are based upon the clinical benefits of drugs affecting dopamine transporter or receptors, and have prompted intensive candidate gene research within the dopaminergic system during the last two decades. The aim of this review is to survey the most important findings concerning dopaminergic gene polymorphisms in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome (TS), obsessive compulsive disorder, and substance abuse. Also, genetic findings of related phenotypes, such as inattention, impulsivity, aggressive behavior, and novelty seeking personality trait are presented, because recent studies have applied quantitative trait measures using questionnaires, symptom scales, or other objective endophenotypes. Unfortunately, genetic variants with minor effects are problematic to detect in these complex inheritance disorders, often leading to contradictory results. The most consistent association findings relate to ADHD and the dopamine transporter and the dopamine D4 receptor genes. Meta-analyses also support the association between substance abuse and the D2 receptor gene. The dopamine catabolizing enzyme genes, such as monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes, have been linked to aggressive behaviors.
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Prehn-Kristensen A, Krauel K, Hinrichs H, Fischer J, Malecki U, Schuetze H, Wolff S, Jansen O, Duezel E, Baving L. Methylphenidate does not improve interference control during a working memory task in young patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Brain Res 2011; 1388:56-68. [PMID: 21385569 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.02.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show deficits in working memory (WM) which may be related to prefrontal dysfunction. Methylphenidate (MPH) can restore WM deficits in ADHD by enhancing prefrontal activity. At the same time, changes in striatal activation could cause ADHD patients to be more interference-sensitive during working memory tasks. However, it is unclear whether MPH reduces WM distractibility in ADHD. In this fMRI study, 12 ADHD patients and 12 healthy controls participated on two separate days in a delayed-match-to-sample test. During the delay interval, a distractor stimulus was presented in half of the trials. Children and adolescents with ADHD received MPH only on one of the two sessions. Behavioral data analyses revealed that MPH normalized WM in ADHD. However, MPH did not improve WM performance when a distractor was presented during the delay interval. Functional images showed that MPH enhanced prefrontal activity during the delay in ADHD patients when no distractor was present. If the delay was interrupted by a distractor, only healthy controls showed activation of the caudate. In patients with ADHD, however, in line with behavioral data, MPH did not enhance caudate activity. In healthy youth, caudate activity is involved in interference control allowing the successful maintenance of information in working memory even in the presence of distraction. Our findings suggest that interference control, linked to caudate activity, is not adequately enhanced by MPH in ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Prehn-Kristensen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Niemannsweg 147, Center for Integrative Psychiatry, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
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Pearson-Fuhrhop KM, Cramer SC. Genetic influences on neural plasticity. PM R 2011; 2:S227-40. [PMID: 21172685 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2010] [Accepted: 09/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Neural plasticity refers to the capability of the brain to alter function or structure in response to a range of events and is a crucial component of both functional recovery after injury and skill learning in healthy individuals. A number of factors influence neural plasticity and recovery of function after brain injury. The current review considers the impact of genetic factors. Polymorphisms in the human genes coding for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and apolipoprotein E have been studied in the context of plasticity and stroke recovery and are discussed here in detail. Several processes involved in plasticity and stroke recovery, such as depression or pharmacotherapy effects, are modulated by other genetic polymorphisms and are also discussed. Finally, new genetic polymorphisms that have not been studied in the context of stroke are proposed as new directions for study. A better understanding of genetic influences on recovery and response to therapy might allow improved treatment after a number of forms of central nervous system injury.
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Coleman LG, He J, Lee J, Styner M, Crews FT. Adolescent binge drinking alters adult brain neurotransmitter gene expression, behavior, brain regional volumes, and neurochemistry in mice. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2011; 35:671-88. [PMID: 21223304 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01385.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge drinking is common in human adolescents. The adolescent brain is undergoing structural maturation and has a unique sensitivity to alcohol neurotoxicity. Therefore, adolescent binge ethanol may have long-term effects on the adult brain that alter brain structure and behaviors that are relevant to alcohol-use disorders. METHODS To determine whether adolescent ethanol (AE) binge drinking alters the adult brain, male C57BL/6 mice were treated with either water or ethanol during adolescence (5 g/kg/d, i.g., postnatal days P28 to P37) and assessed during adulthood (P60 to P88). An array of neurotransmitter-specific genes, behavioral tests (i.e., reversal learning, prepulse inhibition, and open field), and postmortem brain structure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunohistochemistry, were employed to assess persistent alterations in adult brain. RESULTS At P38, 24 hours after AE binge, many neurotransmitter genes, particularly cholinergic and dopaminergic, were reduced by ethanol treatment. Interestingly, dopamine receptor type 4 mRNA was reduced and confirmed using immunohistochemistry. Normal control maturation (P38 to P88) resulted in decreased neurotransmitter mRNA, e.g., an average decrease of 56%. Following AE treatment, adults showed greater gene expression reductions than controls, averaging 73%. Adult spatial learning assessed in the Morris water maze was not changed by AE treatment, but reversal learning experiments revealed deficits. Assessment of adult brain region volumes using MRI indicated that the olfactory bulb and basal forebrain were smaller in adults following AE. Immunohistochemical analyses found reduced basal forebrain area and fewer basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent binge ethanol treatment reduces adult neurotransmitter gene expression, particularly cholinergic genes, reduces basal forebrain and olfactory bulb volumes, and causes a reduction in the density of basal forebrain acetylcholine neurons. Loss of cholinergic neurons and forebrain structure could underlie adult reversal learning deficits following adolescent binge drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon G Coleman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Corvin A, Donohoe G, Hargreaves A, Gallagher L, Gill M. The cognitive genetics of neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011; 12:579-613. [PMID: 22367920 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2011_188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Classification in psychiatry is heavily dependent on clinical symptoms and illness course. This ignores the critical role that cognitive problems play in neuropsychiatric disorders affecting different domains across the lifespan, from ADHD and autism to schizophrenia and Alzheimers disease. At this point, it is unclear whether cognitive mechanisms are specific to disorders, whether multiple processes can contribute to the same disorder, or whether aberrant neural processing can result in many different phenotypic outcomes. Understanding this would allow us to better grasp normal as well as pathological brain function. This could inform diagnostics based on understanding of neurophysiological processes and the consequent development of new therapeutics. Genetics, and the development of genomic research, offers real opportunities to understand the molecular mechanisms relevant to cognition. This chapter defines and describes the main cognitive phenotypes, which are investigated in psychiatric disorders. We review evidence for their heritability and early progress in the field using cytogenetic, linkage and candidate gene-based research methodologies. With high-throughput genomics it is now possible to explore novel common and rare risk variants for psychiatric disorders and their role in cognitive function at a genome-wide level. We review the results of early genomic studies and discuss the novel insights that they are starting to provide. Finally, we review the analysis of whole-genome DNA sequence data and the challenges that this will bring for cognitive genomics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Corvin
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland,
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Espeseth T, Sneve MH, Rootwelt H, Laeng B. Nicotinic receptor gene CHRNA4 interacts with processing load in attention. PLoS One 2010; 5:e14407. [PMID: 21203548 PMCID: PMC3008676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2010] [Accepted: 11/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological studies suggest that cholinergic neurotransmission mediates increases in attentional effort in response to high processing load during attention demanding tasks [1]. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present study we tested whether individual variation in CHRNA4, a gene coding for a subcomponent in α4β2 nicotinic receptors in the human brain, interacted with processing load in multiple-object tracking (MOT) and visual search (VS). We hypothesized that the impact of genotype would increase with greater processing load in the MOT task. Similarly, we predicted that genotype would influence performance under high but not low load in the VS task. Two hundred and two healthy persons (age range = 39-77, Mean = 57.5, SD = 9.4) performed the MOT task in which twelve identical circular objects moved about the display in an independent and unpredictable manner. Two to six objects were designated as targets and the remaining objects were distracters. The same observers also performed a visual search for a target letter (i.e. X or Z) presented together with five non-targets while ignoring centrally presented distracters (i.e. X, Z, or L). Targets differed from non-targets by a unique feature in the low load condition, whereas they shared features in the high load condition. CHRNA4 genotype interacted with processing load in both tasks. Homozygotes for the T allele (N = 62) had better tracking capacity in the MOT task and identified targets faster in the high load trials of the VS task. CONCLUSION The results support the hypothesis that the cholinergic system modulates attentional effort, and that common genetic variation can be used to study the molecular biology of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Espeseth
- Department of Psychology, Center for the Study of Human Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Markus Handal Sneve
- Department of Psychology, Center for the Study of Human Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Rootwelt
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bruno Laeng
- Department of Psychology, Center for the Study of Human Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Sheridan M, Drury S, McLaughlin K, Almas A. Early institutionalization: neurobiological consequences and genetic modifiers. Neuropsychol Rev 2010; 20:414-29. [PMID: 21042937 PMCID: PMC3100174 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-010-9152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Accepted: 10/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Children raised in the profound deprivation associated with institutionalization are at elevated risk for negative outcomes across a host of social and cognitive domains. This risk appears to be mitigated by early foster care or adoption into a family setting. Although pervasive developmental problems have been noted in a substantial proportion of previously institutionalized children, marked variation exists in the nature and severity of these deficits. Increasing evidence suggests that institutional deprivation impacts the developing brain, potentially underlying the wide range of outcomes with which it is associated. In the current review we examine the neural consequences of institutionalization and genetic factors associated with differences in outcome in an effort to characterize the consequences of early deprivation at a neurobiological level. Although the effects of institutional deprivation have been studied for more than 50 years much remains unanswered regarding the pathways through which institutionalization impacts child development. Through a more complete and nuanced assessment of the neural correlates of exposure and recovery as well as a better understanding of the individual factors involved we will be better able to delineate the impact of early adversity in the setting of severe social deprivation.
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Szekely A, Balota DA, Duchek JM, Nemoda Z, Vereczkei A, Sasvari-Szekely M. Genetic factors of reaction time performance: DRD4 7-repeat allele associated with slower responses. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2010; 10:129-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2010.00645.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Drug policy and treatment bias due to the dopamine-deficit theory of child attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 2:149-57. [DOI: 10.1007/s12402-010-0033-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Colzato LS, van den Wildenberg WPM, Van der Does AJW, Hommel B. Genetic markers of striatal dopamine predict individual differences in dysfunctional, but not functional impulsivity. Neuroscience 2010; 170:782-8. [PMID: 20678555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Revised: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Various psychiatric disorders are characterized by elevated levels of impulsivity. Although extensive evidence supports a specific role of striatal, but not frontal dopamine (DA) in human impulsivity, recent studies on genetic variability have raised some doubts on such a role. Importantly, impulsivity consists of two dissociable components that previous studies have failed to separate: functional and dysfunctional impulsivity. We compared participants with a genetic predisposition to have relatively high striatal DA levels (DAT1 9-repeat carriers, DRD2 C957T T/T homozygotes, and DRD4 7-repeat carriers) with participants with other genetic predispositions. We predicted that the first group would show high scores of dysfunctional, but not functional, self-reported impulsivity and greater difficulty in inhibiting a behavioral response to a stop-signal, a behavioral measure of impulsivity. In a sample of 130 healthy adults, we studied the relation between DAT1, DRD4, and C957T polymorphism at the DRD2 gene (polymorphisms related to striatal DA) and catechol-Omethyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met (a polymorphism related to frontal DA) on self-reported dysfunctional and functional impulsivity, assessed by the Dickman impulsivity inventory (DII), and the efficiency of inhibitory control, assessed by the stop-signal paradigm. DRD2 C957T T/T homozygotes and DRD4 7-repeat carriers indeed had significantly higher scores on self-reported dysfunctional, but not functional, impulsivity. T/T homozygotes were also less efficient in inhibiting prepotent responses. Our findings support the claim that dopaminergic variation affects dysfunctional impulsivity. This is in line with the notion that the over-supply of striatal DA might weaken inhibitory pathways, thereby enhancing the activation of, and the competition between responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Colzato
- Cognitive Psychology Unit & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Postbus 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
Cigarette smoking is the main preventable cause of death in developed countries, and the development of more effective treatments is necessary. Cumulating evidence suggests that cognitive enhancement may contribute to the addictive actions of nicotine. Several studies have demonstrated that nicotine enhances cognitive performance in both smokers and non-smokers. Genetic studies support the role of both dopamine (DA) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) associated with nicotine-induced cognitive enhancement. Based on knockout mice studies, beta2 nAChRs are thought to be essential in mediating the cognitive effects of nicotine. alpha7nAChRs are associated with attentional and sensory filtering response, especially in schizophrenic individuals. Genetic variation in D2 type DA receptors and the catechol-O-methyltransferase enzyme appears to moderate cognitive deficits induced by smoking abstinence. Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene variation also moderates nicotine-induced improvement in spatial working memory. Less is known about the contribution of genetic variation in DA transporter and D4 type DA receptor genetic variation on the cognitive effects of nicotine. Future research will provide a clearer understanding of the mechanism underlying the cognitive-enhancing actions of nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryeh I Herman
- Department of Psychiatry and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, School of Medicine, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
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Shimokawa N, Haglund K, Hölter SM, Grabbe C, Kirkin V, Koibuchi N, Schultz C, Rozman J, Hoeller D, Qiu CH, Londoño MB, Ikezawa J, Jedlicka P, Stein B, Schwarzacher SW, Wolfer DP, Ehrhardt N, Heuchel R, Nezis I, Brech A, Schmidt MHH, Fuchs H, Gailus-Durner V, Klingenspor M, Bogler O, Wurst W, Deller T, de Angelis MH, Dikic I. CIN85 regulates dopamine receptor endocytosis and governs behaviour in mice. EMBO J 2010; 29:2421-32. [PMID: 20551902 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2010.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2009] [Accepted: 05/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive investigations of Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa (CIN85) in receptor trafficking and cytoskeletal dynamics, little is known about its functions in vivo. Here, we report the study of a mouse deficient of the two CIN85 isoforms expressed in the central nervous system, exposing a function of CIN85 in dopamine receptor endocytosis. Mice lacking CIN85 exon 2 (CIN85(Deltaex2)) show hyperactivity phenotypes, characterized by increased physical activity and exploratory behaviour. Interestingly, CIN85(Deltaex2) animals display abnormally high levels of dopamine and D2 dopamine receptors (D2DRs) in the striatum, an important centre for the coordination of animal behaviour. Importantly, CIN85 localizes to the post-synaptic compartment of striatal neurons in which it co-clusters with D2DRs. Moreover, it interacts with endocytic regulators such as dynamin and endophilins in the striatum. Absence of striatal CIN85 causes insufficient complex formation of endophilins with D2DRs in the striatum and ultimately decreased D2DR endocytosis in striatal neurons in response to dopamine stimulation. These findings indicate an important function of CIN85 in the regulation of dopamine receptor functions and provide a molecular explanation for the hyperactive behaviour of CIN85(Deltaex2) mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Shimokawa
- Institute of Biochemistry II and Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes, Goethe University, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
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Pieters RP, Gravett N, Fuxe K, Manger PR. Nuclear organization of cholinergic, putative catecholaminergic and serotonergic nuclei in the brain of the eastern rock elephant shrew, Elephantulus myurus. J Chem Neuroanat 2010; 39:175-88. [PMID: 20067831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Revised: 12/23/2009] [Accepted: 01/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The organization of the nuclear subdivisions of the cholinergic, putative catecholaminergic and serotonergic systems of the brain of the elephant shrew (Elephantulus myurus) were determined following immunohistochemistry for choline acetyltransferase, tyrosine hydroxylase and serotonin, respectively. This was done in order to determine if differences in the nuclear organization of these systems in comparison to other mammals were evident and how any noted differences may relate to specialized behaviours of the elephant shrew. The elephant shrew belongs to the order Macroscelidea, and forms part of the Afrotherian mammalian cohort. In general, the organization of the nuclei of these systems resembled that described in other mammalian species. The cholinergic system showed many features in common with that seen in the rock hyrax, rodents and primates; however, specific differences include: (1) cholinergic neurons were observed in the superior and inferior colliculi, as well as the cochlear nuclei; (2) cholinergic neurons were not observed in the anterior nuclei of the dorsal thalamus as seen in the rock hyrax; and (3) cholinergic parvocellular nerve cells forming subdivisions of the laterodorsal and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei were not observed at the midbrain/pons interface as seen in the rock hyrax. The organization of the putative catecholaminergic system was very similar to that seen in the rock hyrax and rodents except for the lack of the rodent specific C3 nucleus, the dorsal division of the anterior hypothalamic group (A15d) and the compact division of the locus coeruleus (A6c). The nuclear organization of the serotonergic system was identical to that seen in all eutherian mammals studied to date. The additional cholinergic neurons found in the cochlear nucleus and colliculi may relate to a specific acoustic signalling system observed in elephant shrews expressed when the animals are under stress or detect a predator. These neurons may then function to increase attention to this type of acoustic signal termed foot drumming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond P Pieters
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Hegerl U, Himmerich H, Engmann B, Hensch T. Mania and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: common symptomatology, common pathophysiology and common treatment? Curr Opin Psychiatry 2010; 23:1-7. [PMID: 19770771 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0b013e328331f694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mania show broad symptom overlap, and high comorbidity exists between ADHD and bipolar disorder. This raises the question concerning common neurobiological pathomechanisms and concerning common treatments. RECENT FINDINGS On genetic, biochemical, electrophysiological, brain morphological and neuropsychological levels, the commonalities of ADHD and mania and the commonalities between ADHD and bipolar disorder (independent of manic state) are outlined. An intriguing finding is that both ADHD and mania are characterized by an unstable wakefulness regulation assessed by EEG measures of vigilance, by ratings of sleepiness and by deficits in sustained attention tasks. In both mania and ADHD, this unstable wakefulness regulation is supposed to be a central pathogenetic factor leading to attention deficits and inducing the hyperactive, impulsive and sensation-seeking behavior as an autoregulatory attempt to stabilize wakefulness by increasing external stimulation. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that psychostimulants do not have a high risk of triggering or aggravating mania, but might even be a treatment option in acute mania. SUMMARY ADHD and mania share many symptoms and several pathogenetic aspects. The common belief that stimulants are contraindicated in mania has been challenged, and controlled trials to study the possible antimanic effects of vigilance-stabilizing drugs such as stimulants are justified and necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hegerl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstrasse 10, Leipzig, Germany.
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Krämer UM, Rojo N, Schüle R, Cunillera T, Schöls L, Marco-Pallarés J, Cucurell D, Camara E, Rodriguez-Fornells A, Münte TF. ADHD candidate gene (DRD4 exon III) affects inhibitory control in a healthy sample. BMC Neurosci 2009; 10:150. [PMID: 20021692 PMCID: PMC2803796 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-10-150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2009] [Accepted: 12/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dopamine is believed to be a key neurotransmitter in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several recent studies point to an association of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene and this condition. More specifically, the 7 repeat variant of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in exon III of this gene is suggested to bear a higher risk for ADHD. In the present study, we investigated the role of this polymorphism in the modulation of neurophysiological correlates of response inhibition (Go/Nogo task) in a healthy, high-functioning sample. RESULTS Homozygous 7 repeat carriers showed a tendency for more accurate behavior in the Go/Nogo task compared to homozygous 4 repeat carriers. Moreover, 7 repeat carriers presented an increased nogo-related theta band response together with a reduced go-related beta decrease. CONCLUSIONS These data point to improved cognitive functions and prefrontal control in the 7 repeat carriers, probably due to the D4 receptor's modulatory role in prefrontal areas. The results are discussed with respect to previous behavioral data on this polymorphism and animal studies on the impact of the D4 receptor on cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike M Krämer
- Dept, of Neuropsychology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Pearson-Fuhrhop KM, Kleim JA, Cramer SC. Brain plasticity and genetic factors. Top Stroke Rehabil 2009; 16:282-99. [PMID: 19740733 DOI: 10.1310/tsr1604-282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Brain plasticity refers to changes in brain function and structure that arise in a number of contexts. One area in which brain plasticity is of considerable interest is recovery from stroke, both spontaneous and treatment-induced. A number of factors influence these poststroke brain events. The current review considers the impact of genetic factors. Polymorphisms in the human genes coding for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) have been studied in the context of plasticity and/or stroke recovery and are discussed here in detail. Several other genetic polymorphisms are indirectly involved in stroke recovery through their modulating influences on processes such as depression and pharmacotherapy effects. Finally, new genetic polymorphisms that have not been studied in the context of stroke are proposed as new directions for study. A better understanding of genetic influences on recovery and response to therapy might allow improved treatment after stroke.
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Arnsten AFT. Toward a new understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder pathophysiology: an important role for prefrontal cortex dysfunction. CNS Drugs 2009; 23 Suppl 1:33-41. [PMID: 19621976 DOI: 10.2165/00023210-200923000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in neurobiology have aided our understanding of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The higher-order association cortices in the temporal and parietal lobes and prefrontal cortex (PFC) interconnect to mediate aspects of attention. The parietal association cortices are important for orienting attentional resources in time/space, while the temporal association cortices analyse visual features critical for identifying objects/places. These posterior cortices are engaged by the salience of a stimulus (its physical characteristics such as movement and colour). Conversely, the PFC is critical for regulating attention based on relevance (i.e. its meaning). The PFC is important for screening distractions, sustaining attention and shifting/dividing attention in a task-appropriate manner. The PFC is critical for regulating behaviour/emotion, especially for inhibiting inappropriate emotions, impulses and habits. The PFC is needed for allocating/planning to achieve goals and organizing behaviour/thought. These regulatory abilities are often referred to as executive functions. In humans, the right hemisphere of the PFC is important for regulating distractions, inappropriate behaviour and emotional responses. Imaging studies of patients with ADHD indicate that these regions are underactive with weakened connections to other parts of the brain. The PFC regulates attention and behaviour through networks of interconnected pyramidal cells. These networks excite each other to store goals/rules to guide actions and are highly dependent on their neurochemical environment, as small changes in the catecholamines noradrenaline (NA) or dopamine (DA) can have marked effects on PFC function. NA and DA are released in the PFC according to our arousal state; too little (during fatigue or boredom) or too much (during stress) impairs PFC function. Optimal amounts are released when we are alert/interested. The beneficial effects of NA occur at postsynaptic alpha(2A)-receptors on the dendritic spines of PFC pyramidal cells. Stimulation of these receptors initiates a series of chemical events inside the cell. These chemical signals lead to the closing of special ion channels, thus strengthening the connectivity of network inputs to the cell. Conversely, the beneficial effects of moderate amounts of DA occur at D(1) receptors, which act by weakening irrelevant inputs to the cells on another set of spines. Genetic linkage studies of ADHD suggest that these catecholamine pathways may be altered in some families with ADHD, e.g. alterations in the enzyme that synthesizes NA (DA beta-hydroxylase) are associated with weakened PFC abilities. Pharmacological studies in animals indicate catecholamine actions in the PFC are highly relevant to ADHD. Blocking NA alpha(2A)-receptors in the PFC with yohimbine produces a profile similar to ADHD: locomotor hyperactivity, impulsivity and poor working memory. Conversely, drugs that enhance alpha(2)-receptor stimulation improve PFC function. Guanfacine directly stimulates postsynaptic alpha(2A)-receptors in the PFC and improves functioning, while methylphenidate and atomoxetine increase endogenous NA and DA levels and indirectly improve PFC function via alpha(2A)- and D(1) receptor actions. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine have more potent actions in the PFC than in subcortical structures, which may explain why proper administration of stimulant medications does not lead to abuse. Further understanding of the neurobiology of attention and impulse control will allow us to better tailor treatments for specific patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy F T Arnsten
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
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