Abstract
Considering, that the serotonergic system has a modulatory function on personality in general, we aimed to highlight its association with positive emotionality. In a placebo-controlled neuroendocrine challenge design (72 men) we investigated the association of serotonergic responsivity, 5-HTTLPR-genotype as well as their combined effects on positive emotionality. Regression analyses revealed an involvement of the serotonergic system in positive emotionality. There was no direct association between positive emotionality and cortisol responses to S-citalopram, rather 5-HTTLPR-genotype showed an association: positive emotionality scores increased with the number of s-alleles carried by the individuals. Most notable was the moderating role of 5-HTTLPR-genotype: only in ss-homozygotes serotonergic responsivity seems to additionally contribute to the level of positive emotionality. These findings are in line with research demonstrating that effects of 5-HTTLPR-genotype are not restricted to aspects of negative emotionality and temperament, and also support the idea of influences of the 5-HTTLPR-genotype on early neuronal development.
Highlights
The central serotonergic system controls a wide range of processes (e.g., Lucki, 1998), wherein it is thought to have general non-specific inhibitory effects (Spoont, 1992)
The present study aims to further elucidate the role of interindividual variations in the functionality of the serotonergic system regarding the trait of positive emotionality—i.e., stable dispositions associated with frequent experiencing of positive affect, approach motivation and behavior, reflecting interindividual differences in underlying emotional response systems (Depue et al, 1994; Tellegen and Waller, 2008)
We investigated the association between two indicators of serotonergic functionality and habitual positive emotionality, expecting a moderating effect of 5-HTTLPR-genotype
Summary
The central serotonergic system controls a wide range of processes (e.g., Lucki, 1998), wherein it is thought to have general non-specific inhibitory effects (Spoont, 1992). Most research has focused on the involvement of serotonin in psychopathology and negative affectivity, wherefore its potential contribution to positive affectivity has mostly been disregarded In his neurobiological theory Depue explicitly links the serotonergic system to these inhibitory processes on the neural and behavioral level, presuming it to function as a thresholdmodulator facilitating the elicitation of avoidance- as well as approach-behavior in case of reduced functionality (Depue and Collins, 1999; Depue and Fu, 2011). It is, thought to be “valence-neutral” and should modulate negative as well as positive emotionality. The present study aims to further elucidate the role of interindividual variations in the functionality of the serotonergic system regarding the trait of positive emotionality—i.e., stable dispositions associated with frequent experiencing of positive affect, approach motivation and behavior, reflecting interindividual differences in underlying emotional response systems (Depue et al, 1994; Tellegen and Waller, 2008)
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