TPH2 gene variation and conflict processing in a cognitive and an emotional Stroop task.
Evidence suggests that a promoter polymorphism of the tryptophan-hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2 -703 G/T) is associated with executive control functions. The current study aimed to clarify whether this relation is restricted to a purely cognitive domain or whether such an effect can also be observed in the processing of emotional material. In a sample of 89 student subjects, a 'cognitive' and an 'emotional' Stroop paradigm were applied to measure processing of cognitive and affective conflicts. Our results suggest an impact of the TPH2 -703 G/T polymorphism on executive control in both, the cognitive as well as the emotional task. In detail, homozygous carriers of the T allele showed decelerated responses in low-conflict conditions, pointing to a rather abnormal functioning of higher-order control mechanisms. Thus, the present investigation is consistent with previous behavioural studies and adds further evidence for the impact of serotonin at the interface of cognition and emotion.
Osinsky
Roman
R
Department of Psychology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10 F, 35394 Giessen, Germany. Roman.Osinsky@psychol.uni-giessen.de
Schmitz
Anja
A
Alexander
Nina
N
Kuepper
Yvonne
Y
Kozyra
Eva
E
Hennig
Juergen
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
C494784:TPH2 protein, human; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase