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Sagud M, Tudor L, Nedic Erjavec G, Nikolac Perkovic M, Uzun S, Mimica N, Madzarac Z, Zivkovic M, Kozumplik O, Konjevod M, Svob Strac D, Pivac N. Genotypic and Haplotypic Association of Catechol- O-Methyltransferase rs4680 and rs4818 Gene Polymorphisms with Particular Clinical Symptoms in Schizophrenia. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1358. [PMID: 37510262 PMCID: PMC10379812 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene variants are involved in different neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive impairments, associated with altered dopamine function. This study investigated the genotypic and haplotypic association of COMT rs4680 and rs4618 polymorphisms with the severity of cognitive and other clinical symptoms in 544 male and 385 female subjects with schizophrenia. COMT rs4818 G carriers were more frequent in male patients with mild abstract thinking difficulties, compared to CC homozygotes or C allele carriers. Male carriers of COMT rs4680 A allele had worse abstract thinking (N5) scores than GG carriers, whereas AA homozygotes were more frequent in male subjects with lower scores on the intensity of the somatic concern (G1) item, compared to G carriers. Male carriers of COMT rs4818-rs4680 GA haplotype had the highest scores on the G1 item (somatic concern), whereas GG haplotype carriers had the lowest scores on G2 (anxiety) and G6 (depression) items. COMT GG haplotype was less frequent in female patients with severe disturbance of volition (G13 item) compared to the group with mild symptoms, while CG haplotype was more frequent in female patients with severe then mild symptoms. These findings suggest the sex-specific genotypic and haplotypic association of COMT variants with a severity of cognitive and other clinical symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Sagud
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.S.); (Z.M.); (M.Z.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (N.M.)
| | - Lucija Tudor
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.T.); (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.T.); (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.T.); (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Suzana Uzun
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (N.M.)
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ninoslav Mimica
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (S.U.); (N.M.)
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Zoran Madzarac
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.S.); (Z.M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Maja Zivkovic
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.S.); (Z.M.); (M.Z.)
| | - Oliver Kozumplik
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marcela Konjevod
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.T.); (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.T.); (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (L.T.); (G.N.E.); (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.)
- University of Applied Sciences Hrvatsko Zagorje Krapina, 49000 Krapina, Croatia
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The molecular genetic basis of creativity: a mini review and perspectives. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2023; 87:1-16. [PMID: 35217895 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-022-01649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Although creativity is one of the defining features of human species, it is just the beginning of an ambitious attempt for psychologists to understand its genetic basis. With ongoing efforts, great progress has been achieved in molecular genetic studies of creativity. In this mini review, we highlighted recent molecular genetic findings for both domain-general and domain-specific creativity, and provided some perspectives for future studies. It is expected that this work will provide an update on the knowledge regarding the molecular genetic basis of creativity, and contribute to the further development of this field.
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Grunst AS, Grunst ML, Staes N, Thys B, Pinxten R, Eens M. Serotonin transporter (SERT) polymorphisms, personality and problem-solving in urban great tits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24270. [PMID: 34930949 PMCID: PMC8688470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03466-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding underlying genetic variation can elucidate how diversity in behavioral phenotypes evolves and is maintained. Genes in the serotonergic signaling pathway, including the serotonin transporter gene (SERT), are candidates for affecting animal personality, cognition and fitness. In a model species, the great tit (Parus major), we reevaluated previous findings suggesting relationships between SERT polymorphisms, neophobia, exploratory behavior and fitness parameters, and performed a first test of the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SERT and problem-solving in birds. We found some evidence for associations between SERT SNPs and neophobia, exploratory behavior and laying date. Furthermore, several SNPs were associated with behavioral patterns and success rates during obstacle removal problem-solving tests performed at nest boxes. In females, minor allele homozygotes (AA) for nonsynonymous SNP226 in exon 1 made fewer incorrect attempts and were more likely to problem-solve. In both sexes, there was some evidence that minor allele homozygotes (CC) for SNP84 in exon 9 were more likely to problem-solve. Only one SNP-behavior relationship was statistically significant after correcting for multiple comparisons, but several were associated with substantial effect sizes. Our study provides a foundation for future research on the genetic basis of behavioral and cognitive variation in wild animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea S Grunst
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Littoral Environnement Et Sociétés, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France.
| | - Melissa L Grunst
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Littoral Environnement Et Sociétés, La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Nicky Staes
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bert Thys
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rianne Pinxten
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Antwerp School of Education, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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He WJ, Wong WC. Gender Differences in the Distribution of Creativity Scores: Domain-Specific Patterns in Divergent Thinking and Creative Problem Solving. Front Psychol 2021; 12:626911. [PMID: 33746849 PMCID: PMC7969660 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.626911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study examined gender differences in the distribution of creative abilities through the lens of the greater male variability hypothesis, which postulated that men showed greater interindividual variability than women in both physical and psychological attributes (Ellis, 1894/1934). Two hundred and six (51.9% female) undergraduate students in Hong Kong completed two creativity measures that evaluated different aspects of creativity, including: (a) a divergent thinking test that aimed to assess idea generation and (b) a creative problem-solving test that aimed to assess restructuring ability. The present findings extended the research of greater male variability in creativity by showing that men generally exhibited greater variance than women in the overall distribution of the creativity scores in both divergent thinking and creative problem solving, despite trivial gender differences in mean scores. The findings further enriched the discourse of the greater male variability hypothesis by showing interesting domain-specific gendered patterns: (1) greater male variability was more likely to occur in figural forms of creativity, with larger effect sizes, when compared to the variability in verbal forms of creativity; and (2) mixed gendered patterns were found in the upper tails of the creativity score distribution with respect to the verbal domain but not the figural one, despite greater male representation being consistently observed in the lower tail of the distribution. Possible underlying mechanisms and implications were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu-Jing He
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong.,Integrated Centre for Wellbeing, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong
| | - Wan-Chi Wong
- Department of Educational Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Beversdorf DQ. Neuropsychopharmacological regulation of performance on creativity-related tasks. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2019; 27:55-63. [PMID: 31106256 PMCID: PMC6519931 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A number of factors affect performance on tasks associated with creativity. Two pharmacological systems in particularly been identified as important for their impact on creativity, the noradrenergic system and the dopaminergic systems. Furthermore, stress is also established as an important factor impacting performance, most likely mediated by its effects on these neurotransmitter systems. Herein, we review the current literature on the relationships between stress, the noradrenergic system, the dopaminergic system, and other pharmacological factors and their effects on performance on tasks associated with creativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Beversdorf
- William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology, University of Missouri
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Yang X, Zhang J, Zhang S. No association of COMT with insight problem solving in Chinese college students. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6755. [PMID: 31024766 PMCID: PMC6472467 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes involved in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission, such as the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT), have been suggested as key genetic candidates that might underlie the genetic basis of insight. In a sample of Chinese college students, this study examined whether COMT was associated with individual differences in the ability to solve classic insight problems. The results demonstrated that COMT was not associated with insight problem solving and there was no gender-dependent effect. This study, together with previous studies, raises the possibility of a complex relationship between COMT and insight problem solving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- College of Life Science, Qilu Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinghuan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Han W, Zhang M, Feng X, Gong G, Peng K, Zhang D. Genetic influences on creativity: an exploration of convergent and divergent thinking. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5403. [PMID: 30083479 PMCID: PMC6071619 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies on the genetic basis of creativity have mainly focused on the biological mechanisms of divergent thinking, possibly limiting the exploration of possible candidate genes. Taking a cognition-based perspective, the present study investigated the genetic basis for both the divergent and the convergent thinking components of creativity. A total of 321 Chinese university students were recruited to complete the Guildford Unusual Using Test (UUT) for divergent thinking capability and the Remote Associates Test (RAT) for convergent thinking capability. The polymorphism of rs2576037 in KATNAL2 was related to the fluency and originality component scores of UUT, and the polymorphism of rs5993883 in COMT, rs362584 in SNAP25 was related to the RAT performance. These effects remained significant after considering the influence of age, gender and intelligence. Our results provide new evidence for the genetic basis of creativity and reveal the important role of gene polymorphisms in divergent and convergent thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Han
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Mi Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Education College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China
| | | | - Kaiping Peng
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Zhang S, Zhang J. The Association of DRD2 with Insight Problem Solving. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1865. [PMID: 27933030 PMCID: PMC5121534 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the insight phenomenon has attracted great attention from psychologists, it is still largely unknown whether its variation in well-functioning human adults has a genetic basis. Several lines of evidence suggest that genes involved in dopamine (DA) transmission might be potential candidates. The present study explored for the first time the association of dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) with insight problem solving. Fifteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering DRD2 were genotyped in 425 unrelated healthy Chinese undergraduates, and were further tested for association with insight problem solving. Both single SNP and haplotype analysis revealed several associations of DRD2 SNPs and haplotypes with insight problem solving. In conclusion, the present study provides the first evidence for the involvement of DRD2 in insight problem solving, future studies are necessary to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University Jinan, China
| | - Jinghuan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University Jinan, China
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