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Polymorphisms in dopamine system genes are associated with individual differences in attention in infancy
Karla Holmboe1, Zsofia Nemoda, R M Pasco Fearon
1Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom. karla.holmboe@kcl.ac.uk
Infant attention is influenced by dopamine gene variations. Specifically, the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism affects distractibility in infants, impacting frontal cortex development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- Frontal cortex function in infancy is not well understood.
- Dopamine system genes are crucial for cognitive development.
- Frontostriatal connections play a role in executive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dopamine system gene polymorphisms on infant frontal cortex functioning.
- To assess performance on the Freeze-Frame task at 9 months of age.
- To examine the effects of COMT, DRD4, DRD2, and DAT1 gene polymorphisms.
Main Methods:
- Studied 9-month-old infants.
- Analyzed polymorphisms in four dopamine system genes: COMT, DRD4, DRD2, and DAT1.
- Utilized the Freeze-Frame task to assess frontal cortex functioning.
Main Results:
- Infants with the COMT Val158Met Met/Met genotype showed significantly less distractibility.
- This COMT effect was moderated by the DAT1 3' VNTR polymorphism.
- The COMT effect was absent in infants with two copies of the DAT1 10-repeat allele.
Conclusions:
- Dopaminergic gene polymorphisms influence selective attention in infancy.
- The findings support the Freeze-Frame task's validity for assessing frontal cortex function.
- Early attention mechanisms are shaped by genetic variations in the dopamine system.
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