title: How the serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR polymorphism influences amygdala function: the roles of in vivo serotonin transporter expression and amygdala structure.
abstract: The serotonin transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene is associated with amygdala response during negative emotion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this genotype effect on amygdala function is mediated by current serotonin transporter (5-HTT) levels or rather by genetically induced influences during neurodevelopment, shaping brain structure. A total of 54 healthy subjects underwent functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging, [(11)C]DASB positron emission tomography and 5-HTTLPR genotyping to analyze the interrelationships between amygdala activation during processing of unpleasant stimuli, 5-HTTLPR genotype, amygdala volumes and 5-HTT levels in the midbrain and in other brain regions. In line with previous research, carriers of the short allele (S) showed increased amygdala activation. Path analysis demonstrated that this genotype effect was not procured by current 5-HTT availability but by amygdala structure, with smaller amygdala volumes in the S than in the LL genotype, as well as smaller volumes being associated with increased amygdala activation. Our findings stress the role of genetic effects during neurodevelopment.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kobiella
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Reimold
authors: D E
authors: DE
authors: Ulshöfer
authors: V N
authors: VN
authors: Ikonomidou
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Vollmert
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Vollstädt-Klein
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rietschel
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Reischl
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Heinz
authors: M N
authors: MN
authors: Smolka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins