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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
16:08
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Impairing Effect of Emotion on Cognition
Published on: February 1, 2012
Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and brain function during emotional distraction from cognitive processing in
Rajendra A Morey1, Ahmad R Hariri, Andrea L Gold
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA. morey@biac.duke.edu
BMC Psychiatry
|May 7, 2011
Summary
Genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) influence brain activity in veterans with PTSD. Specific SLC6A4 polymorphisms are linked to altered neural responses to trauma reminders and emotion regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Serotonergic system dysfunction is linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Genetic variations in serotonin signaling may influence brain circuitry involved in emotion processing and PTSD deficits.
- Serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) polymorphisms affect amygdala and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if SLC6A4 polymorphisms modulate brain activity in emotion regulation regions in veterans with PTSD.
- To examine the relationship between SLC6A4 promoter and downstream polymorphisms and neural responses to emotional stimuli in PTSD.
Main Methods:
- Used functional MRI (fMRI) to assess neural activity in a PTSD group (n=22) and trauma-exposed controls (n=20).
- Examined brain responses to trauma-related images as distractors during a working memory task.
- Investigated SLC6A4 promoter polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR, rs25531) and downstream single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
Main Results:
- rs16965628 modulated ventrolateral PFC activation in PTSD patients compared to controls.
- 5-HTTLPR showed a trend towards modulating left amygdala activation in PTSD.
- SLC6A4 polymorphisms may bias serotonin signaling and neural circuitry for emotion control in PTSD.
Conclusions:
- SLC6A4 SNP rs16965628 and 5-HTTLPR are associated with biased neural responses to trauma reminders and emotion control in PTSD.
- fMRI can identify intermediate phenotypes in PTSD, clarifying gene-disease links.
- These findings highlight genetic influences on PTSD susceptibility and phenotype.
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