5HTTLPR predicts left fusiform gyrus activation to positive emotional stimuli.
This study was designed to replicate and extend past research examining the impact of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR) on neural activation during emotional processing. Six women with at least one short allele were compared to six age-matched women with long/long alleles of the 5HTTLPR. Participants were shown 36 positive and 36 negative slides from the International Affective Picture Set, while functional images were acquired using a 4-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Although we were unable to replicate past research demonstrating relatively increased amygdala activation among individuals with an "s" allele to negative stimuli, women with an s allele evidenced decreased left fusiform gyrus activation to positive emotional stimuli (as expected). We suggest that women with a short allele may be either less attentive or less "expert" with regard to positive emotional stimuli, and ideas for future research are presented.
Demaree
Heath A
HA
Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7123, USA. heath.demaree@case.edu
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Jie
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Jesberger
Jack
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Feeny
Norah
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Jeng
Linda
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Everhart
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Duerk
Jeff
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Tkach
Jean
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D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins