title: Gender differences in association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and resting-state EEG activity.
abstract: Human brain oscillations represent important features of information processing and are highly heritable. Gender has been observed to affect association between the 5-HTTLPR (serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region) polymorphism and various endophenotypes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 5-HTTLPR on the spontaneous electroencephalography (EEG) activity in healthy male and female subjects. DNA samples extracted from buccal swabs and resting EEG recorded at 60 standard leads were collected from 210 (101 men and 109 women) volunteers. Spectral EEG power estimates and cortical sources of EEG activity were investigated. It was shown that effects of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on electrical activity of the brain vary as a function of gender. Women with the S/L genotype had greater global EEG power compared to men with the same genotype. In men, current source density was markedly different among genotype groups in only alpha 2 and alpha 3 frequency ranges: S/S allele carriers had higher current source density estimates in the left inferior parietal lobule in comparison with the L/L group. In women, genotype difference in global power asymmetry was found in the central-temporal region. Contrasting L/L and S/L genotype carriers also yielded significant effects in the right hemisphere inferior parietal lobule and the right postcentral gyrus with L/L genotype carriers showing lower current source density estimates than S/L genotype carriers in all but gamma bands. So, in women, the effects of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism were associated with modulation of the EEG activity in a wide range of EEG frequencies. The significance of the results lies in the demonstration of gene by sex interaction with resting EEG that has implications for understanding sex-related differences in affective states, emotion and cognition.
authors.affiliation: State Research Institute of Physiology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Timakova Strasse 4, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Strasse 2, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia. Electronic address: volf@physiol.ru.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Volf
authors.affiliation: State Research Institute of Physiology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Timakova Strasse 4, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia. Electronic address: lv-belousova@physiol.ru.
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Belousova
authors.affiliation: State Research Institute of Physiology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Timakova Strasse 4, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia. Electronic address: knyazev@physiol.ru.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Knyazev
authors.affiliation: Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Strasse 2, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Lavrentyeva, 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia. Electronic address: akulikov@ngs.ru.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kulikov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012146:Rest; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: 5-HTTLPR polymorphism; gender; resting EEG; sLORETA; spectral power