DRD4 polymorphism associated with greater positive affect in response to negative and neutral social stimuli

Abstract

Despite the robustness of DRD4 polymorphism associations with brain‐based behavioral characteristics in candidate gene research, investigations have minimally explored associations between these polymorphisms and emotional responses. In particular, the prevalent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ‐521C/T (rs1800955) in the promoter region of DRD4 remains unexplored relative to emotions. Here, two independent samples were evaluated using different emotion elicitation tasks involving social stimuli: Study 1 (N = 120) evoked positive and negative emotional responses to validated film clips; Study 2 (N = 122) utilized Cyberball to simulate social rejection and acceptance. Across studies, C/C individuals self‐reported higher mean positive affect scores using Likert scales versus T carrier individuals, selectively when presented with neutral or negative (but not positive) social stimuli. The consistent findings across these two studies supports a functional consequence of this DRD4 SNP on emotion processing during changing social contexts. Continued investigation will help clarify if a C/C genotype enhances positive emotions under negative circumstances, or if the presence of the T allele reduces positive emotions, and how rs1800955 behavioral associations might generalize across different demographics. Future studies could also reveal if this SNP interacts with other changing environmental conditions to affect emotional responses, such as social limitations during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphism and methylation of dopamine system-related genes with psychotic symptoms in patients of methamphetamine use disorders

“…The DRD4 rs1800955 TT polymorphism was associated with higher rates of avoidant and obsessive personality disorder symptomatology 35 . When exposed to neutral or negative (but not positive) social stimuli, DRD4 rs1800955 CC carriers show higher mean positive affect ratings than T carriers 36 . Although the DRD4 gene's SNP rs1800955 C allele showed a nominal association with heroin dependence 37 , it was strongly related to cigarette smoking in comparisons of heavy smokers to non-smokers and light smokers to non-smokers 38 .…”

A preliminary study on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms and methylation of dopamine system‐related genes with psychotic symptoms in patients with methamphetamine use disorder

“…The DRD4 rs1800955 TT polymorphism was associated with higher rates of avoidant and obsessive personality disorder symptomatology (Joyce et al, 2003). When exposed to neutral or negative (but not positive) social stimuli, DRD4rs1800955CC carriers show higher mean positive affect ratings than T carriers (Gilman et al, 2022).…”

“…The DRD4 rs1800955 TT polymorphism was associated with higher rates of avoidant and obsessive personality disorder symptomatology (Joyce et al, 2003). When exposed to neutral or negative (but not positive) social stimuli, DRD4rs1800955CC carriers show higher mean positive affect ratings than T carriers (Gilman et al, 2022). Although the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele showed a nominal association with heroin dependence (Vereczkei et al, 2013), it was strongly related to cigarette smoking in comparisons of heavy smokers to nonsmokers and light smokers to nonsmokers (Perez‐Rubio et al, 2017).…”

The role of the genetic influence of DRD4 in Chinese adults in the context of the choice of tourist attractions

“…Genetic variation in decision‐making systems has often been the main focus of research examining the genetic basis of human behaviour (Ateşyakar & Duman, 2021; Yessentayeva et al, 2021). Many authors point to the stability of associations of the DRD4 gene polymorphism with behavioural characteristics and emotional reactions of people, but for the first time, such an influence on the models of the choice of tourist attractions by the subjects is considered (Gilman et al, 2022).…”