The short (S) allele of the serotonin transporter polymorphism and acute tryptophan depletion both increase impulsivity in men

Reduced serotonergic neurotransmission is implicated in impulsive behavior. We studied the triallelic system of the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and acute manipulation of serotonin together to further delineate the mechanisms by which serotonergic neurotransmission...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience letters 2010-04, Vol.473 (3), p.208-211
Main Authors: Walderhaug, Espen, Herman, Aryeh Isaac, Magnusson, Andres, Morgan, Michael John, Landrø, Nils Inge
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
5-HTTLPR
Adult
Alleles
Biological and medical sciences
Double-Blind Method
European Continental Ancestry Group
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics
Genotype
Humans
Impulsive Behavior - genetics
Impulsivity
Male
Polymorphism, Genetic
Serotonin
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics
Sex Factors
Signal detection theory
Signal Detection, Psychological
Tryptophan - deficiency
Tryptophan depletion
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:Reduced serotonergic neurotransmission is implicated in impulsive behavior. We studied the triallelic system of the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and acute manipulation of serotonin together to further delineate the mechanisms by which serotonergic neurotransmission affects impulsivity. Fifty-two healthy participants (38 men and 14 women) underwent acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group experiment. Impulsive response style was measured on two versions of the Continuous Performance Task (CPT), and calculated using signal detection theory. We observed a dose-dependent effect for the short (S′) allele of the 5-HTTLPR on impulsive response style. Individuals who had the S′/S′ genotype were more impulsive than individuals with the L/S′ genotype. Participants with the L/S′ genotype were more impulsive than those with the L/L genotype. ATD increased impulsivity in men, and decreased impulsivity in women. These data demonstrate for the first time that reduced serotonergic tone as a result of either 5-HTTLPR genotype, or experimental ATD, are both independently and additively, associated with elevated impulsive response style in Caucasian men.
ISSN:0304-3940
1872-7972
DOI:10.1016/j.neulet.2010.02.048