Prefrontal-related Functional Connectivities Within the Default Network Are Modulated by COMT Val158met in Healthy Young Adults

Overview

Journal J Neurosci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2010 Jan 8

PMID 20053888

Citations 53

Authors

Bing Liu

Ming Song

Jun Li

Yong Liu

Kuncheng Li

Chunshui Yu

Tianzi Jiang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Previous studies have supported the concept that the default network is an intrinsic brain system that participates in internal modes of cognition. Neural activity and connectivity within the default network, which are correlated with cognitive ability even at rest, may be plausible intermediate phenotypes that will enable us to understand the genetic mechanisms of individuals' cognitive function or the risk for genetic brain diseases. Using resting functional magnetic resonance imaging and imaging genetic paradigms, we investigated whether individual default network connectivity was modulated by COMT val(158)met in 57 healthy young subjects. Compared with COMT heterozygous individuals, homozygous val individuals showed significantly decreased prefrontal-related connectivities, which primarily occurred between prefrontal regions and the posterior cingulate/restrosplenial cortices. Further analyses of the topological characteristics of the default network showed homozygous val individuals had significantly fewer node degrees in the prefrontal regions. This finding may partially elucidate previous reports that the COMT val variant is associated with inefficient prefrontal information processing and poor cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that default network connectivity that involves the prefrontal cortex is modulated by COMT val(158)met through differential effects on prefrontal dopamine levels.

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