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BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism Is Associated with Self-Reported Empathy.

Vincent Taschereau-Dumouchel1,2,3, Sébastien Hétu4, Anaït Bagramian1

  • 1École de psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.

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The Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met gene polymorphism is linked to self-reported empathy. This genetic factor influences social behaviors and emotion perception, offering new insights into empathy

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Area of Science:

  • Neurogenetics
  • Social Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Genetics

Background:

  • Empathy is a key human social behavior with known genetic influences.
  • The Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism affects emotion perception and social cognition.
  • Previous research has not documented the impact of BDNF Val66Met on self-reported empathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and self-reported empathy.
  • To explore the neurogenetic underpinnings of empathy using a validated self-report measure.

Main Methods:

  • Employed a neurogenetic approach in a sample of 110 young adults.
  • Assessed self-reported empathy using Davis' Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI).
  • Analyzed the association between the BDNF Val66Met genotype and IRI scores.

Main Results:

  • The BDNF genotype showed a significant association with the overall score of the IRI.
  • This association was independent of previously identified empathy-related polymorphisms in the oxytocin transporter gene (OXTR rs53576 and rs2254298).

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence linking the BDNF gene to self-reported empathy.
  • The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may play a role in individual differences in empathy.
  • Further research into this polymorphism is warranted due to potential clinical significance.