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Ergebnisse 2 Einträge
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Current models of attention describe attention not as a homogenous entity but as a set of neural networks whose measurement yields a set of three endophenotypes-alerting, orienting, and executive control. Previous findings revealed different neuroanatomical regions for these subsystems, and data from twin studies indicate differences in their heritability. The present study investigated the molecular genetic basis of attention in a sample of 100 healthy subjects. Attention performance was assessed with the attention network test that distinguishes alerting, orienting, and executive control (conflict) using a simple reaction time paradigm with different cues and congruent and incongruent flankers. Two gene loci on candidate genes for cognitive functioning, the functional catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) VAL158MET and the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) -703 G/T promoter polymorphism, were tested for possible associations with attention. COMT is involved in the catabolism of dopamine, and TPH is the rate-limiting enzyme for serotonin synthesis. Results showed no effect of the COMT polymorphism on attention performance. However, the TT genotype of TPH2 -03 G/T was significantly associated with more errors (a possible indicator of impaired impulse control; p = .001) and with decreased performance in executive control (p = .001). This single-nucleotide polymorphism on the TPH2 gene explained more than 10% of the variance in both indicators of attention stressing the role of the serotonergic system for cognitive functions.
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Absorption represents a disposition to experience altered states of consciousness characterized by intensively focused attention. It is correlated with hypnotic susceptibility and includes phenomena ranging from vivid perceptions and imaginations to mystical experiences. Based on the assumption that drug-induced and naturally occurring mystical experiences share common neural mechanisms, we hypothesized that Absorption is influenced by the T102C polymorphism affecting the 5-HT2a receptor, which is known to be an important target site of hallucinogens like LSD. Based on the pivotal role ascribed to the prefrontal executive control network for absorbed attention and positive symptoms in schizophrenia, it was further hypothesized that Absorption is associated with the VAL158MET polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene affecting the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system. The Tellegen Absorption Scale was administered to 336 subjects (95 male, 241 female). Statistical analysis revealed that the group with the T/T genotype of the T102C polymorphism, implying a stronger binding potential of the 5-HT2a receptor, indeed had significantly higher Absorption scores (F = 10.00, P = 0.002), while no main effect was found for the COMT polymorphism. However, the interaction between T102C and COMT genotypes yielded significance (F = 3.89; P = 0.049), underlining the known functional interaction between the 5-HT and the dopaminergic system. These findings point to biological foundations of the personality trait of Absorption.
Erkunden
Eintragsart
Sprache
- Englisch (2)
Thema
- Attention/*physiology
- Adult (2)
- Alleles (1)
- Catechol O-Methyltransferase/genetics (1)
- Catechol O-Methyltransferase/*genetics (1)
- DNA Primers (1)
- Epistasis, Genetic (1)
- Female (2)
- Fixation, Ocular (1)
- Gene Frequency (1)
- Genotype (2)
- Hallucinations/genetics/*physiopathology (1)
- Humans (2)
- Intelligence/*genetics (1)
- Male (2)
- Nerve Net/physiology (1)
- *Polymorphism, Genetic (1)
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics (1)
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics (1)
- Psychomotor Performance/*physiology (1)
- Reaction Time/physiology (1)
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/*genetics (1)
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (1)
- Schizophrenia/genetics/physiopathology (1)
- Sex Characteristics (1)
- Tryptophan Hydroxylase/*genetics (1)