Lack of Association Between Serotonin Transporter Gene (SLC6A4) Promoter Methylation and Amygdala Response During Negative Emotion Processing in Individuals With Alcohol Dependence.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Differences in DNA methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) have been shown to alter SLC6A4 expression and predict brain functions in healthy individuals. This study investigated the association between SLC6A4 promoter methylation and threat-related amygdala activation in individuals with alcohol dependence (AD).

Methods

Methylation of the SLC6A4 promoter region was assessed using peripheral blood DNA from 45 individuals with AD and 45 healthy controls (HCs). All participants completed an emotional face matching task in a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

Results

Results did not reveal any association between SLC6A4 promoter methylation variation and threat-related amygdala activation in HCs or individuals with AD. Furthermore, methylati

SUBMITTER: Muench C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6516430 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature