title: A Potential Role of the 5-HTTLPR Polymorphism in Self-Reported Executive Functioning.
abstract: Intense effort is directed toward searching for associations between genes and neuropsychological measures of executive functions. In contrast, the impact of genetic polymorphisms on self-rating of everyday executive functioning has not been investigated so far. This study was designed to test associations of self-reported executive functioning, measured with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A), with dopaminergic and serotoninergic genes in non-clinical population and to assess impact of neuropsychological and personality characteristics on these associations. One hundred healthy adults completed the BRIEF-A, personality inventories SPQ-74, STAI, MMPI, and neuropsychological tests for executive functions. Polymorphisms in the DRD4, COMT, DRD2, HTR2A, and SLC6A4 genes were genotyped. We revealed a significant main effect of the SLC6A4's 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on BRIEF-A scores (F = 2.21, P = .018, η2 = .24). Among the BRIEF-A measures, the genotype effect was significant for the Plan/Organize (F = 7.34, P = .008, η2 = .07) and Task Monitor scales (F = 4.33, P = .04, η2 = .04), and the Metacognition index (F = 4.21, P = .043, η2 = .04). Carriers of the short allele reported fewer problems than homozygotes for the long allele. Correlations of the BRIEF-A measures with neuropsychological variables were weak, while those with personality characteristics were strong, with trait anxiety being the most powerful predictor of the BRIEF-A scores. However, the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR and BRIEF-A scores remained significant when trait anxiety was controlled for. The results suggest a potential role of the 5-HTTLPR in self-reported everyday task planning and monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Center(Russia).
authors.forename: Margarita V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Alfimova
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Center(Russia).
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Golimbet
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Center(Russia).
authors.forename: Tatyana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lezheiko
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Center(Russia).
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Korovaitseva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067489:Metacognition; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D057566:Self Report; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: BRIEF-A; cognitive control; dopamine; gene; serotonin