
pmid: 19818050
The affect-modulated acoustic startle response (ASR) might be a promising indicator for emotional reactivity as an endophenotype (an intermediate level between genetics and phenotypes), which we expected to be associated with the DRD4 polymorphism. Therefore, the affect-modulated ASR was examined in 114 healthy volunteers, 74 lacking the DRD4 7R allele (7R-absent group) and 41 with at least one DRD4 7R allele (7R group). Results revealed the well-known affect-modulated ASR in the 7R-absent group. The 7R group, however, was characterized by a blunted affect-modulated ASR, especially by a reduced startle potentiation toward unpleasant pictures. Associations between the exploratory assessed 5-HTT, COMT, and DAT polymorphisms and affect-modulated ASR were not found. Results speak for the importance of the DRD4 polymorphism in modulating emotional responses and also for the usefulness of the affect-modulated ASR as an endophenotype.
Adult, Male, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins, Reflex, Startle, Polymorphism, Genetic, Genotype, Electromyography, Receptors, Dopamine D4, Brain, Genetic Variation, Catechol O-Methyltransferase, Affect, Gene Frequency, Humans, Female, Arousal, Photic Stimulation
Adult, Male, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins, Reflex, Startle, Polymorphism, Genetic, Genotype, Electromyography, Receptors, Dopamine D4, Brain, Genetic Variation, Catechol O-Methyltransferase, Affect, Gene Frequency, Humans, Female, Arousal, Photic Stimulation
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