Impact of FAAH genetic variation on fronto-amygdala function during emotional processing

• Verfasst von: Gärtner, Anne [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Witt, Stephanie [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Impact of FAAH genetic variation on fronto-amygdala function during emotional processing
• Verf.angabe: Anne Gärtner, Denise Dörfel, Kersten Diers, Stephanie H. Witt, Alexander Strobel, Burkhard Brocke
• Jahr: 2019
• Jahr des Originals: 2018
• Umfang: 13 S.
• Fussnoten: First online: 05 October 2018 ; Gesehen am 04.07.2019
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience
• Ort Quelle: Darmstadt : Steinkopff, 1868
• Jahr Quelle: 2019
• Band/Heft Quelle: 269(2019), 2, Seite 209-221
• ISSN Quelle: 1433-8491
• DOI: doi:10.1007/s00406-018-0944-9
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: Amygdala
• Sach-SW: Emotion reactivity
• Sach-SW: Emotion regulation
• Sach-SW: FAAH C385A
• Sach-SW: fMRI
• Sach-SW: Fronto-amygdala
• Sach-SW: Functional connectivity
• Sach-SW: Genetics
• Sach-SW: Individual differences
• K10plus-PPN: 1668615940

Abstract

Recent translational studies identified a common endocannabinoid polymorphism, FAAH C385A, in the gene for the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). This polymorphism alters endocannabinoid anandamide levels, which are known to be involved in the fronto-amygdala circuitry implicated in mood regulation and anxiety-like behaviors. While it has been shown that the variant that selectively enhances fronto-amygdala connectivity at rest is associated with decreased anxiety-like behaviors, no study so far has investigated whether this finding of FAAH-related differential plasticity extends to task-related differential functional expression and regulation during negative emotional processing. Using an imaging genetics approach, this study aimed to replicate and extend prior findings by examining functional activity and task-related connectivity in fronto-amygdala regions during emotion reactivity and emotional down-regulation of negative affect. Therefore, 48 healthy young adults underwent a functional MRI resting state measurement, completed an emotion regulation paradigm and provided self-reports on anxiety and use of emotion regulation strategies. In line with previous studies, preliminary evidence suggests that A-allele carriers demonstrate stronger fronto-amygdala connectivity during rest. In addition, exploratory whole-brain analyses indicate differential functional activity of A-allele carriers during emotion reactivity and emotion regulation. There were no associations with anxiety-related self-reports and use of emotional regulation strategies. Further research using larger samples and polygenic approaches is indicated to clarify the precise role and its underlying mechanisms in emotion processing.