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Loss aversion and 5HTT gene variants in adolescent anxiety
Monique Ernst1, Rista C Plate2, Christina O Carlisi1
1National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH-Building 15-K, Room 110, MSC-2670, Bethesda, MD 20817-2670, USA.
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
|November 28, 2013
Summary
Loss aversion, a measure of risky behavior, is present in adolescents and not significantly different in those with anxiety disorders. However, the serotonin transporter gene variant (SERT) may identify anxious adolescents with high impulsivity and low loss aversion.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Loss aversion, a key concept in behavioral economics, describes risk-taking behavior in adults but is understudied in adolescents.
- Adolescents exhibit risk-taking behaviors, while anxiety disorders are often linked to risk avoidance, suggesting complex interactions.
- The serotonin transporter gene (SERT) influences anxiety and impulsivity, hinting at a potential genetic modulation of loss aversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the manifestation and modulation of loss aversion in healthy and clinically anxious adolescents.
- To examine the influence of the serotonin-transporter-gene-linked polymorphisms (5HTTLPR) on loss aversion and impulsivity.
- To explore potential genotype-specific differences in risk-taking behavior between anxious and healthy adolescent groups.
Main Methods:
- Assessed loss aversion as an index of risk-taking behavior in adolescent participants.
- Measured reaction time to decision as an indicator of impulsivity.
- Stratified analyses based on serotonin transporter gene (SERT) genotype (5HTTLPR) in healthy and anxious adolescents.
Main Results:
- Loss aversion was confirmed to be present in the adolescent population.
- No significant difference in loss aversion was observed between healthy and clinically anxious adolescents.
- A specific subgroup of anxious adolescents, characterized by high SERT expression, exhibited significantly lower loss aversion and higher impulsivity.
Conclusions:
- Loss aversion is a valid measure of risk-taking behavior in adolescents, irrespective of anxiety status.
- The 5HTTLPR genotype, specifically high SERT expression, may identify anxious adolescents at risk for comorbid disorders involving impulsivity and risk-taking.
- This finding provides preliminary evidence for the 5HTTLPR as a potential genetic risk factor in clinically anxious adolescents.
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