title: The influence of dopamine-related genes on perceptual stability.
abstract: Bistable perception is the spontaneous and automatic alternation between two different perceptual states that occurs when sensory information is ambiguous. Perceptual alternation rates are robust within individuals but vary substantially between individuals. Slowed perceptual switching has been consistently reported in patients with bipolar disorder (BPD) and has been suggested as a trait marker for this disease. Although genetic factors have been implicated in both BPD and bistable perception, the underlying biological mechanisms that mediate the observed perceptual stability in BPD remain elusive. Here, we tested the effect of two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in DRD4 and DAT1 (SLC6A3), both candidate genes for BPD with functional impact on dopaminergic neurotransmission, on bistable perception in a cohort of 108 healthy human subjects. The BPD risk allele DRD4-2R was significantly associated with slow perceptual switching. There was no effect of DAT1 genotype on bistable perception. Our findings indicate that genetic differences in dopaminergic neurotransmission linked to BPD also account for interindividual variability in bistable perception, thus providing a genetic basis for perceptual stability as a trait marker of BPD.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, D-10117, Germany.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Schmack
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Sekutowicz
authors: Hannes
authors: H
authors: Rössler
authors: Eva J
authors: EJ
authors: Brandl
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Müller
authors: Philipp
authors: P
authors: Sterzer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C493214:SLC6A3 protein, human; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4
keywords: DAT1; DRD4; bipolar disorder; bistable perception; human