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Published on: September 23, 2015
Dysfunctional attitudes and the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR)
Mark A Whisman1, Daniel P Johnson, Andrew Smolen
1University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA. mark.whisman@colorado.edu
Behavior Therapy
|April 19, 2011
Summary
Genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) are linked to dysfunctional attitudes in young adults. Specifically, low-expressing 5-HTTLPR alleles correlate with negative performance evaluation attitudes, a risk factor for depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatric Genetics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Molecular Psychiatry
Background:
- Dysfunctional attitudes are cognitive risk factors for depression.
- Serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) variations are associated with serotonin abnormalities.
- Previous research suggests a link between serotonin function and cognitive biases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and dysfunctional attitudes in nondepressed young adults.
- To explore whether specific types of dysfunctional attitudes are influenced by 5-HTTLPR genotype.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in a sample of 131 nondepressed young adults.
- Assessing endorsement of dysfunctional attitudes related to performance evaluation and approval by others.
- Statistical analysis to examine covariation between 5-HTTLPR genotype and attitude endorsement.
Main Results:
- Individuals with one or two copies of low-expressing 5-HTTLPR alleles reported stronger endorsement of performance evaluation dysfunctional attitudes.
- No significant association was found between 5-HTTLPR genotype and dysfunctional attitudes regarding approval by others.
- The findings suggest a genotype-specific effect on certain cognitive vulnerabilities.
Conclusions:
- The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may influence specific cognitive vulnerabilities for depression, particularly those related to performance evaluation.
- This research contributes to understanding the genetic underpinnings of cognitive biases in depression.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms linking 5-HTTLPR and dysfunctional attitudes.
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