The effect of the serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) on empathic and self-conscious emotional reactivity.

Gyurak, Anett; Haase, Claudia M.; Sze, Jocelyn; Goodkind, Madeleine S.; Coppola, Giovanni; Lane, Jessica; Miller, Bruce L.; Levenson, Robert W.

doi:10.1037/a0029616

Cited by 72 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 64 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This finding has been contested in some meta-analyses (Munafo, Durrant, Lewis, & Flynt, 2009; Risch, Herrell, Merikangas, et al, 2009), but it has been supported in the most recent and largest meta-analysis (Karg, Burmeister, Shedden, & Sen, 2011). Further, Gyurak et al (2012) found that, when tested experimentally, individuals with two s alleles of the serotonin transporter polymorphism were more emotionally reactive to both pleasant and aversive stimuli than individuals with a long allele.…”

Section: Genetic Markers Hypothesized To Predict Depressive Reactivitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Heterogeneity in Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms in Response to Victimization

Gottfredson

Foshee

Ennett

et al. 2014

Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective This study had two objectives: first, to determine the degree to which experiences of victimization by peers during adolescence led to a subsequent rise in depressive symptoms; second, to identify genetic markers that predict depressive reactivity to victimization. Method We used a cohort sequential design to obtain a longitudinal sample of 1,475 adolescents (3,263 observations) in grades 8 to 12 (56% female; 47% Black, 46% White). Multilevel growth curve models were used to assess whether victimization predicted depressive symptoms six months later, beyond baseline trajectories for depressive symptoms. We modeled the interactive effects of peer victimization with three genetic polymorphisms (on 5-HTTLPR, DRD2 TaqIA, and BDNF Val66Met) on depressive symptoms. Results While victimization predicted subsequent depressive symptoms, there was substantial heterogeneity in the magnitude of the effect of victimization. Val alleles, associated with higher brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) functioning, predicted more sensitivity to victimization. Neither DRD2 TaqIA, a marker associated with dopaminergic functioning, nor 5-HTTLPR, a marker associated with serotonin activity, was associated with sensitivity to victimization. Conclusions The social stress of peer victimization triggers depressive symptoms most strongly in individuals who are homozygous for the Val allele on the BDNF Val/Met polymorphism. This polymorphism has been linked with sensitivity to social defeat in animal models. Future research should explore behavioral, cognitive, and emotional explanations of the effects of BDNF Val/Met on responsivity to victimization.

show abstract

Section: Genetic Markers Hypothesized To Predict Depressive Reactivitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Heterogeneity in Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms in Response to Victimization

Gottfredson

Foshee

Ennett

et al. 2014

Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, the lower-expressing S allele is reported to be associated with greater cortisol stress response in a meta-analysis of association studies [106]. The S allele is also associated with greater personal distress and physiological responses to films of others in distress and more anger, amusement and emotionally expressive behaviours to watching oneself in an embarrassing situation [107]. The association of all of these functional and structural connectivity abnormalities with the serotonin transporter promoter variant indicates how it may be translated into a neurobiologic phenotype that in turn may influence psychopathology and response to stress in adulthood.…”

Section: Downstream Effects Of Impaired Serotonergic Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The serotonergic system in mood disorders and suicidal behaviour

Mann

2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

191

117

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A stress-diathesis explanatory model of suicidal behaviour has proved to be of heuristic value, and both clinical and neurobiological components can be integrated into such a model. A trait deficiency in serotonin input to the anterior cingulate and ventromedial prefrontal cortex is found in association with suicide, and more recently non-fatal suicidal behaviour, and is linked to decision-making and suicide intent by imaging and related studies in vivo . The same neural circuitry and serotonin deficiency may contribute to impulsive aggressive traits that are part of the diathesis for suicidal behaviour and are associated with early onset mood disorders and greater risk for suicidal behaviour. Other brain areas manifest deficient serotonin input, that is, a trait related to recurrent major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Thus the serotonin system is involved in both the diathesis for suicidal behaviour in terms of decision-making, and to a major stressor, namely episodes of major depression.

show abstract

“…Our study was constrained to a single population and a specific developmental stage; however, our results are corroborated by associations between the short allele and heightened sensitivity to social stimuli [13 -16], as well as altered anatomy and functionality in the brain's imitation circuitry [18,19]. Beyond social sensitivity, a vast literature on 5HTTLPR indicates that the short allele is related to diverse phenomena, including: empathy [27], cooperation [28] and dancing [29]. Following Canli & Lesch's [9] suggestion that 5HTTLPR, in interaction with the environment, may influence social behaviour by modulating neural activation in brain regions containing mirror and Von Economo neurons, we note that many seemingly unrelated observations can be reconciled by conceptualization of Both production imitation and social mimicry may contribute to cumulative culture, which arises from highfidelity imitation and social processes including prosociality, group identification and teaching [3,4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Variant at serotonin transporter gene predicts increased imitation in toddlers: relevance to the human capacity for cumulative culture

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cumulative culture ostensibly arises from a set of sociocognitive processes which includes high-fidelity production imitation, prosociality and group identification. The latter processes are facilitated by unconscious imitation or social mimicry. The proximate mechanisms of individual variation in imitation may thus shed light on the evolutionary history of the human capacity for cumulative culture. In humans, a genetic component to variation in the propensity for imitation is likely. A functional length polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene, the short allele at 5HTTLPR, is associated with heightened responsiveness to the social environment as well as anatomical and activational differences in the brain's imitation circuity. Here, we evaluate whether this polymorphism contributes to variation in production imitation and social mimicry. Toddlers with the short allele at 5HTTLPR exhibit increased social mimicry and increased fidelity of demonstrated novel object manipulations. Thus, the short allele is associated with two forms of imitation that may underlie the human capacity for cumulative culture. The short allele spread relatively recently, possibly due to selection, and its frequency varies dramatically on a global scale. Diverse observations can be unified via conceptualization of 5HTTLPR as influencing the propensity to experience others' emotions, actions and sensations, potentially through the mirror mechanism.

show abstract

The effect of the serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) on empathic and self-conscious emotional reactivity.

Cited by 72 publications

References 64 publications

Genetic Heterogeneity in Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms in Response to Victimization

Genetic Heterogeneity in Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms in Response to Victimization

The serotonergic system in mood disorders and suicidal behaviour

Variant at serotonin transporter gene predicts increased imitation in toddlers: relevance to the human capacity for cumulative culture

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About