Acquisition and generalization of fear conditioning are not modulated by the BDNF-val66met polymorphism in humans

Few studies have investigated the role of the BDNF‐val66met polymorphism in fear conditioning in humans, and previous results have been inconsistent. In the present study, we examined whether the BDNF‐val66met was associated with differences in the acquisition and generalization of fear during a dif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychophysiology 2012-05, Vol.49 (5), p.713-719
Main Authors: Torrents-Rodas, David, Fullana, Miquel A., Arias, Bárbara, Bonillo, Albert, Caseras, Xavier, Andión, Oscar, Mitjans, Marina, Fañanás, Lourdes, Torrubia, Rafael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - genetics
Conditioning
Conditioning (Psychology) - physiology
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Data processing
DNA - genetics
Electromyography
Emotion
Fear & phobias
Fear - psychology
Fear conditioning
Female
Galvanic Skin Response
Gene Frequency
Gene polymorphism
Genetics
Genotype
Humans
Individual differences
Internet
Learning
Male
Polymorphism
Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics
Psychology
Reflex, Startle - genetics
Reflex, Startle - physiology
Skin conductance response
Startle response
Young Adult
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Summary:Few studies have investigated the role of the BDNF‐val66met polymorphism in fear conditioning in humans, and previous results have been inconsistent. In the present study, we examined whether the BDNF‐val66met was associated with differences in the acquisition and generalization of fear during a differential conditioning paradigm in a large sample of participants (N = 141). Using three different indexes of fear learning (fear‐potentiated startle, skin conductance response, and online risk ratings) no effects of the BDNF‐val66met were found either on the acquisition or the generalization of conditioned fear. Taken together with previous data, our study suggests that the BDNF‐val66met polymorphism has no effect on the acquisition or generalization of fear.
ISSN:0048-5772
1469-8986
1540-5958
DOI:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2011.01352.x