Genetic variation in the human brain dopamine system influences motor learning and its modulation by L-Dopa.

ABSTRACT: Dopamine is important to learning and plasticity. Dopaminergic drugs are the focus of many therapies targeting the motor system, where high inter-individual differences in response are common. The current study examined the hypothesis that genetic variation in the dopamine system is associated with significant differences in motor learning, brain plasticity, and the effects of the dopamine precursor L-Dopa. Skilled motor learning and motor cortex plasticity were assessed using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design in 50 healthy adults during two study weeks, one with placebo and one with L-Dopa. The influence of five polymorphisms with established effects on dopamine neurotransmission was summed using a gene score, with higher scores corresponding to higher dopam

SUBMITTER: Pearson-Fuhrhop KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3629211 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature