Abstract
Background: The aim of this paper is to investigate the associations between polymorphisms in the BDNF, COMT, and HTR2A genes with peculiarity of visual perception. In particular, how the carriers of different genotypes of Indicated genes emotionally evaluating visual scenes with distinct second-order features (images modulated by contrast) and how corresponding process is reflected in event-related brain activity (ERP). Methods: The study involved students who underwent PCR-based genetic analysis with the release of BDNF, COMT, and HTR2A genotypes. Participants were asked to emotionally assesse the specific stimuli – visual scenes that were generated from contrast modulations. At the same time the EEG were recorded using a 128-electrodes system. The average frequency of responses and ERPs for different emotional evaluations (negative, neutral and positive) were analyzed. Results: The study showed the BDNF Val/Val polymorphism was associated with the increase in the P2 amplitude in the occipital regions compared to the Val/Met genotype regardless of emotional evaluation. The COMT Met/Met genotype polymorphism associated with the increase of N170 negativity in the occipital regions during evaluation task. The HTR2A polymorphism A/A associated with increase in the P1 amplitude when positive or negative assessment were chosen, and decrease of later positive peak when neutral evaluation was chosen. Conclusions: The results suggested that emotional evaluation and recognition of visual scenes with distinct second-order features, as well as various strategies for processing visual information, reflected in amplitude and latency of different ERPs components and associated with the different genotypes of BDNF, COMT, and HTR2A genes. The indicated interconnections can act as genetic basis of individualize the mechanisms of visual perception.
Highlights
Despite the fact that at this stage of evolution, the human visual system is the main channel for receiving information that performs complex processes of encoding and decoding stimuli, the mechanisms for recognizing and categorizing visual images still remain under-investigated (Babenko et al, 2011; Graham, 2011; Wilson & Gelb, 1984)
The results suggested that emotional evaluation and recognition of visual scenes with distinct second-order features, as well as various strategies for processing visual information, reflected in amplitude and latency of different ERPs components and associated with the different genotypes of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), COMT, and HTR2A genes
This study proposes the following research hypotheses 1) Amplitude, spatial, and temporal characteristics of the components of visual event-related potentials in response to emotional visual stimuli with distinct second-order features are significantly different in carriers of different BDNF, COMT, and HTR2A genotypes
Summary
Despite the fact that at this stage of evolution, the human visual system is the main channel for receiving information that performs complex processes of encoding and decoding stimuli, the mechanisms for recognizing and categorizing visual images still remain under-investigated (Babenko et al, 2011; Graham, 2011; Wilson & Gelb, 1984). Second-order visual features – non-local characteristics of the perceived image, which including various options for contrast, orientation, and spatial frequency – are of special interest to human’s visual system researchers (Babenko et al, 2011; Babenko et al, 2016) These features are image regions characterized by spatial heterogeneities of brightness gradients – the first-order characteristics. First-order visual mechanisms form the basis for subsequent spatial grouping This is a multi-channel system that performs local analysis of the orientation of the brightness gradients at various spatial frequencies. How the carriers of different genotypes of Indicated genes emotionally evaluating visual scenes with distinct second-order features (images modulated by contrast) and how corresponding process is reflected in event-related brain activity (ERP). Results: The study showed the BDNF Val/Val polymorphism was associated with the increase in the P2 amplitude in the occipital regions compared to the Val/Met genotype regardless of emotional
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
