title: Serotonin and Dopamine Gene Variation and Theory of Mind Decoding Accuracy in Major Depression: A Preliminary Investigation.
abstract: Theory of mind-the ability to decode and reason about others' mental states-is a universal human skill and forms the basis of social cognition. Theory of mind accuracy is impaired in clinical conditions evidencing social impairment, including major depressive disorder. The current study is a preliminary investigation of the association of polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4), dopamine transporter (DAT1), dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4), and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) genes with theory of mind decoding in a sample of adults with major depression. Ninety-six young adults (38 depressed, 58 non-depressed) completed the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes task' and a non-mentalistic control task. Genetic associations were only found for the depressed group. Specifically, superior accuracy in decoding mental states of a positive valence was seen in those homozygous for the long allele of the serotonin transporter gene, 9-allele carriers of DAT1, and long-allele carriers of DRD4. In contrast, superior accuracy in decoding mental states of a negative valence was seen in short-allele carriers of the serotonin transporter gene and 10/10 homozygotes of DAT1. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for integrating social cognitive and neurobiological models of etiology in major depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Arielle Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Zahavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sabbagh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Dustin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Raegan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazurka
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R Michael
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bagby
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravindran
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kate L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Harkness
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000235:genetics*; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics; D012701:Serotonin / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C493214:SLC6A3 protein, human; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4; D012701:Serotonin; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D004298:Dopamine