{alpha}-Synuclein gene duplication impairs reward learning

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Sep 7;107(36):15992-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1006068107. Epub 2010 Aug 23.

Abstract

alpha-Synuclein (SNCA) plays an important role in the regulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission and neurodegeneration in Parkinson disease. We investigated reward and punishment learning in asymptomatic carriers of a rare SNCA gene duplication who were healthy siblings of patients with Parkinson disease. Results revealed that healthy SNCA duplication carriers displayed impaired reward and intact punishment learning compared with noncarriers. These results demonstrate that a copy number variation of the SNCA gene is associated with selective impairments on reinforcement learning in asymptomatic carriers without the motor symptoms of Parkinson disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Duplication*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology
  • alpha-Synuclein / genetics*

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Dopamine