title: Sensory processing sensitivity and serotonin gene variance: Insights into mechanisms shaping environmental sensitivity.
abstract: Current research supports the notion that the apparently innate trait Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) may act as a modulator of development as function of the environment. Interestingly, the common serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) does the same. While neural mechanisms underlying SPS are largely unknown, those associated with the 5-HTTLPR have been extensively investigated. We perform a comparative analysis of research findings on sensory processing facets associated with the trait and polymorphism to: 1. detect shared phenotypes and frame a hypothesis towards neural mechanisms underlying SPS; 2. increase the understanding of 5-HTTLPR-associated behavioral patterns. Trait and polymorphism are both associated with differential susceptibility to environmental stimuli; additionally, both involve 1. having stronger emotional reactions, 2. processing of sensory information more deeply, 3. being more aware of environmental subtleties, and 4. being easily overstimulated. We discuss neural mechanisms and environmental conditions that may underlie these four facets. Besides urging the actual assessment of the link between the two, the conclusions of our analyses may guide and focus future research strategies.
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Judith.Homberg@radboudumc.nl.
authors.forename: Judith R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Homberg
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA.
authors.forename: Elaine N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Aron
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition; D004644:Emotions; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin
keywords: 5-HTTLPR; Depression; Differential susceptibility; Emotion; Environmental sensitivity; Insular cortex; Sensory processing sensitivity