Genetic influences on insight problem solving: the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms.

ABSTRACT: People may experience an "aha" moment, when suddenly realizing a solution of a puzzling problem. This experience is called insight problem solving. Several findings suggest that catecholamine-related genes may contribute to insight problem solving, among which the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is the most promising candidate. The current study examined 753 healthy individuals to determine the associations between 7 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms on the COMT gene and insight problem-solving performance, while considering gender differences. The results showed that individuals carrying A allele of rs4680 or T allele of rs4633 scored significantly higher on insight problem-solving tasks, and the COMT gene rs5993883 combined with gender interacted with correct solutions o

SUBMITTER: Jiang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4602104 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature