Dataset Information

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene modulates individuals' empathic ability.

ABSTRACT: Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), an enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine, has broad influences on social functions. In this study, we examined to what extent two polymorphisms (-1021C/T and a 19 bp insertion/deletion) in DBH gene modulate individuals' empathic perception and response, which were measured, respectively, by reading the mind in the eyes test and the empathic concern subscale of interpersonal reactivity index. Results showed that polymorphism at -1021C/T, but not the 19 bp insertion/deletion, accounts for 2.3% variance of empathic perception and 1.4% variance of empathic response. Individuals with the CC genotype, which is associated with higher DBH activity, manifested greater empathic ability than those with CT/TT genotypes. These findings demonstrate the importance of DBH -1021C/T as a genetic basis of empathy and in predicting individual differences in social and affective processing.

SUBMITTER: Gong P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4158372 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene modulates individuals' empathic ability.

Gong Pingyuan P Liu Jinting J Li She S Zhou Xiaolin X

Social cognitive and affective neuroscience 20130829 9

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), an enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine, has broad influences on social functions. In this study, we examined to what extent two polymorphisms (-1021C/T and a 19 bp insertion/deletion) in DBH gene modulate individuals' empathic perception and response, which were measured, respectively, by reading the mind in the eyes test and the empathic concern subscale of interpersonal reactivity index. Results showed that polymorphism at -1021C/T, but not the 19 b ...[more]

PMID: 23988761

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Project description:Atomoxetine is the most widely used nonstimulant for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It selectively acts on the norepinephrine (NE) system. Dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) regulates the synthesis of NE. This study aimed to investigate whether variants in the DBH gene have an effect on the differential response to atomoxetine.Children and adolescents with ADHD were enrolled in a prospective, open-label study of atomoxetine for 8-12 weeks. The dose was titrated to 1.2-1.4?mg/kg per day and maintained for at least 4 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was the investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV). Three categorical evaluations of treatment effects (defined as response, robust response, and remission) were used. We used a candidate gene approach. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DBH were selected and genotyped based on the functional annotation in literature. Their association with response or remission status was analyzed.Four SNPs were found nominally associated with response status (rs1076150, p?=?0.0484; rs2873804, p?=?0.0348; rs1548364, p?=?0.0383; and rs2519154, p?=?0.0097), two were associated with robust response (rs1076150, p?=?0.0349; and rs2519154, p?=?0.0047), and one was associated with remission (rs2519154, p?=?0.0479). The association between rs2519154 and robust response was significant after correction of multiple comparison (p?=?0.0384). Two haplotypes of linkage disequilibrium (LD) block1 (constituted by rs1108580, rs2873804, rs1548364, and rs2519154) were nominally associated with response and robust response status (CTAC: p?=?0.0301 for response, p?=?0.0374 for robust response; TCGT: p?=?0.0317 for response, p?=?0.021 for robust response), whereas one haplotype (GC) of LD block2 (constituted by rs2073837 and rs129882) was associated with robust response and remission status (p?=?0.0377 for robust response; p?=?0.0321 for remission), although none achieved significant threshold after multiple comparison.Variants in DBH genes were associated with atomoxetine response in the treatment of ADHD. Further replication in larger samples would be warranted.

Dataset Information

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene modulates individuals' empathic ability.

Publications

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene modulates individuals' empathic ability.

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