title: Deletion variant in the ADRA2B gene increases coupling between emotional responses at encoding and later retrieval of emotional memories.
abstract: A deletion variant of the ADRA2B gene that codes for the α2b adrenoceptor has been linked to greater susceptibility to traumatic memory as well as attentional biases in perceptual encoding of negatively valenced stimuli. The goal of the present study was to examine whether emotional enhancements of memory associated with the ADRA2B deletion variant were predicted by encoding, as indexed by the subjectively perceived emotional salience (i.e., arousal) of events at the time of encoding. Genotyping was performed on 186 healthy young adults who rated positive, negative, and neutral scenes for level of emotional arousal and subsequently performed a surprise recognition memory task 1 week later. Experience of childhood trauma was also measured, as well as additional genetic variations associated with emotional biases and episodic memory. Results showed that subjective arousal was linked to memory accuracy and confidence for ADRA2B deletion carriers but not for non-carriers. Our results suggest that carrying the ADRA2B deletion variant enhances the relationship between arousal at encoding and subsequent memory for moderately arousing events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: becket.todd@psych.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Palombo
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Imaging and Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.affiliation: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, United States.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C547771:ADRA2B protein, human; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2
keywords: ADRA2B; Affective bias; Emotion; Genetic variation; Memory; Norepinephrine