title: Acquisition and generalization of fear conditioning are not modulated by the BDNF-val66met polymorphism in humans.
abstract: Few studies have investigated the role of the BDNF-val66met polymorphism in fear conditioning in humans, and previous results have been inconsistent. In the present study, we examined whether the BDNF-val66met was associated with differences in the acquisition and generalization of fear during a differential conditioning paradigm in a large sample of participants (N = 141). Using three different indexes of fear learning (fear-potentiated startle, skin conductance response, and online risk ratings) no effects of the BDNF-val66met were found either on the acquisition or the generalization of conditioned fear. Taken together with previous data, our study suggests that the BDNF-val66met polymorphism has no effect on the acquisition or generalization of fear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torrents-Rodas
authors.forename: Miquel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fullana
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonillo
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Caseras
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Andión
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitjans
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fañanás
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torrubia
mesh_terms: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004576:Electromyography; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D004247:DNA