The impact of serotonin transporter genotype on default network connectivity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

ABSTRACT: Compared to healthy controls, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have weaker posterior-anterior connectivity that strengthens less with age within the default network, a set of brain structures connected in the absence of a task and likely involved in social function. The serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotypes that result in lowered serotonin transporter expression are associated with social impairment in ASD. Additionally, in healthy controls, low expressing 5-HTTLPR genotypes are associated with weaker default network connectivity. However, in ASD, the effect of 5-HTTLPR on the default network is unknown. We hypothesized that 5-HTTLPR's influence on posterior-anterior default network connectivity strength as well as on age-related changes in co

SUBMITTER: Wiggins JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3777679 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature