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Published on: September 15, 2017
Molecular genetics of attention
Mark A Bellgrove1, Jason B Mattingley
1School of Psychology, University of Queensland, 4072 Queensland, Australia. m.bellgrove@uq.edu.au
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 2, 2008
Summary
Investigating the genetic basis of attention, this review links specific gene variations, like those in dopamine and cholinergic systems, to sustained and spatial attention abilities. Future genomewide studies will identify more attention-related genes.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Molecular Genetics
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Human genome sequencing and DNA polymorphism identification offer new avenues for studying cognition's genetic underpinnings.
- Understanding neural substrates of attention aids in identifying genetic links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular genetics of sustained and spatial attention.
- To explore associations between genetic variations and attentional performance.
- To highlight the potential of genomewide association studies for attention research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of molecular genetics studies on attention.
- Examination of associations between specific genes (e.g., DBH, DRD2, DRD4, DAT1, CHRNA4, APOE) and attention.
- Consideration of preliminary findings in children with and without ADHD.
Main Results:
- Allelic variations in dopamine-related genes (DBH, DRD2, DRD4, DAT1) are linked to sustained attention.
- Cholinergic system genes (CHRNA4) are implicated in spatial attention.
- APOE-epsilon4 influences attentional reorienting, and DAT1 variants show preliminary associations with spatial attention control in children.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variations significantly influence sustained and spatial attention.
- Further research, including genomewide association studies, is crucial for identifying novel candidate genes for attention disorders like ADHD and schizophrenia.
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