Abstract
Brain imaging studies have consistently shown subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortical (sgACC) involvement in emotion processing. catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158 and Met158 polymorphisms may influence such emotional brain processes in specific ways. Given that resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) may increase our understanding on brain functioning, we integrated genetic and rsfMRI data and focused on sgACC functional connections. No studies have yet investigated the influence of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) on sgACC resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in healthy individuals. A homogeneous group of 61 Caucasian right-handed healthy female university students, all within the same age range, underwent rsfMRI. Compared to Met158 homozygotes, Val158 allele carriers displayed significantly stronger rsFC between the sgACC and the left parahippocampal gyrus, ventromedial parts of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). On the other hand, compared to Val158 homozygotes, we found in Met158 allele carriers stronger sgACC rsFC with the medial frontal gyrus (MFG), more in particular the anterior parts of the medial orbitofrontal cortex. Although we did not use emotional or cognitive tasks, our sgACC rsFC results point to possible distinct differences in emotional and cognitive processes between Val158 and Met158 allele carriers. However, the exact nature of these directions remains to be determined.
Highlights
Brain imaging studies point to functional differences between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met carriers in the prefrontal and limbic areas related to emotional processing (Rasch et al, 2010; Shehzad et al, 2012)
CONFINED TO THE 6 MM subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortical (sgACC) SEED The one-way ANOVA revealed three significant clusters with the first located in the left parahippocampal gyrus (MNI coordinates: x = −18, y = −9, z = −33) and the second in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (BA 47: x = 15, y = 24, z = −15)
The third interaction cluster was located in the left medial frontal gyrus (MFG) (BA 11: x = 0, y = 60, z = −15) and here the post-hoc test indicated a stronger sgACC resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) with the left Brodmann area (BA) 11 in Met158 and Val/Met158 carriers compared to Val158 carriers
Summary
Brain imaging studies point to functional differences between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met carriers in the prefrontal and limbic areas related to emotional processing (Rasch et al, 2010; Shehzad et al, 2012). Whereas Met158 allele carriers may have higher risk of developing mood and anxiety disorders (Hosák, 2007; Kocabas et al, 2010; Witte and Flöel, 2012), individuals carrying the Val158 variant are thought to display more cognitive difficulties (Swart et al, 2011). Provided evidence for a neural prefrontal cortical substrate of the pleiotropic behavioral effects of COMT Val158Met (rs4680) genetic variation This means that a single gene has an effect on the expression of two or more phenotypic traits; in this case the COMT Val158Met gene that aligns with a differential impact on cognitive and emotional function. At the brain level it remains poorly understood how these Val158Met single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) interfere with cognitive and/or emotion associated neurocircuits
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
