Additive effects of genetic variation in dopamine regulating genes on working memory cortical activity in human brain

J Neurosci. 2006 Apr 12;26(15):3918-22. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4975-05.2006.

Abstract

Functional polymorphisms in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and the dopamine transporter (DAT) genes modulate dopamine inactivation, which is crucial for determining neuronal signal-to-noise ratios in prefrontal cortex during working memory. We show that the COMT Met158 allele and the DAT 3' variable number of tandem repeat 10-repeat allele are independently associated in healthy humans with more focused neuronal activity (as measured with blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging) in the working memory cortical network, including the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, subjects homozygous for the COMT Met allele and the DAT 10-repeat allele have the most focused response, whereas the COMT Val and the DAT 9-repeat alleles have the least. These results demonstrate additive genetic effects of genes regulating dopamine signaling on specific neuronal networks subserving working memory.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Dopamine / genetics*
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology*
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Dopamine