title: Emotional management and 5-HT2A receptor gene variance in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit impaired social cognitive functions, particularly emotion management. Emotion management may be partially regulated by the serotoninergic system; the -1438 A/G polymorphism in the promoter region of the 5-HT2A gene can modulate 5-HT2A activity and is linked to certain emotional traits and anger- and aggression-related behaviors. The current study aimed to investigate whether this 5-HT2A genetic variance is associated with social cognitive function, particularly the management of emotions. One hundred and fifteen patients with chronic schizophrenia were stabilized with an optimal-dose of antipsychotic treatment. All were genotyped for the -1438 A/G polymorphism and assessed with symptom rating scales, neurocognitive instruments, and the "Managing Emotions" section of Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Multiple regression showed that patients with the A/G genotype performed better than those with G/G in managing emotion (p=0.018) but did not differ from those with the A/A genotype. Regarding the two subtasks of the Managing Emotions section, the A/G heterozygotes also performed better than the G/G homozygotes in the emotion management (p=0.026) and emotional relations (p=0.027) subtasks. The results suggest that variability in the 5-HT2A gene may influence emotion management in patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioral Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Hsuan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Guochuan E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chun-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Ming-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jane Pei-Chen
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hui-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tsuang
authors.forename: Hsien-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000235:genetics*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A