Influence of COMT Val158Met polymorphism on emotional decision-making: A sex-dependent relationship?
The biological underpinnings of sex-related differences in decision-making are still under-explored. The COMT gene is related to sexual dimorphism and with different choices made under uncertainty, albeit no study has specifically investigated a moderation effect of sex on the association between the COMT gene and the performance on decision-making paradigms. In this study, we investigated the influence of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) performance depending on sex in a healthy adult sample. Participants were 192 healthy adults (84 men and 108 women). The first 40 choices in the IGT were considered decisions under ambiguity and the last 60 choices decisions under risk. To test our moderation hypothesis we used a separate regressions approach. The results revealed a sex-dependent effect of COMT Va l158Met polymorphism on decision-making as measured by the IGT. Val/Val women showed the best performance in the last trials of the IGT. Therefore, the COMT Val158Met polymorphism may be considered a genetic marker underlying sex differences in decision-making.
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: daniellesouza.psi@gmail.com.
Danielle de Souza
DS
Costa
Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Antoine
A
Bechara
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Psychology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil.
Jonas Jardim
JJ
de Paula
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Mental Health, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Marco Aurélio
MA
Romano-Silva
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Mental Health, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Humberto
H
Correa
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Guilherme Menezes
GM
Lage
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Débora Marques de
DM
Miranda
National Institute of Science and Technology of Molecular Medicine (INCT-MM), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Mental Health, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Leandro Fernandes
LF
Malloy-Diniz
D000328:Adult; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult
C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase
Behavioral genetics; COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism; Decision-making; Dopamine; Molecular genetics; Neuropsychiatry; Neuropsychology; Sex