Functional 5‐HT1a receptor polymorphism selectively modulates error‐specific subprocesses of performance monitoring

Abstract

Our study investigates the dependence of response monitoring and error detection on genetic influences modulating the serotonergic system. This was done using the event-related potentials (ERPs) after error (Ne/ERN) and correct trials (Nc/CRN). To induce a sufficient amount of errors, a standard flanker task was used. The subjects (N = 94) were genotyped for the functional 5-HT1A C(-1019)G polymorphism. The results show that the 5-HT1A C(-1019)G polymorphism specifically modulates error detection. Neurophysiological modulations on error detection were paralleled by a similar modulation of response slowing after an error, reflecting the behavioral adaptation. The 5-HT1A -1019 CC genotype group showed a larger Ne and stronger posterror slowing than the CG and GG genotype groups. More general processes of performance monitoring, as reflected in the Nc/CRN, were not affected. The finding that error-specific processes, but not general response monitoring processes, are modulated by the 5-HT1A C(-1019)G polymorphism is underlined by a wavelet analysis. In summary, the results suggest a specific effect of the 5-HT1A C(-1019)G polymorphism on error monitoring, as reflected in the Ne, and suggest a neurobiological dissociation between processes of error monitoring and general response monitoring at the level of the serotonin 1A receptor system.

The Role of the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism for the Synchronization of Error-Specific Neural Networks

“…The current results confirm previous observations that error responses specifically increase ␦-frequency band activity (Yordanova et al, 2004b;Beste et al, 2007Beste et al, , 2009Beste et al, , 2010aKolev et al, 2009). The results suggest also that BDNF gene variation might selectively modulate error-specific processes, but not processes of general motor response monitoring, since genotype effects were restricted to the ␦-frequency band, which was predominantly active on error, but not on correct trials (Yordanova et al, 2004b).…”

“…The influence of genetic factors on error processing and response monitoring functions has frequently been studied in the past (Klein et al, 2007;Krämer et al, 2007;Beste et al, 2010a). Until now, no study examined the role of neurotrophins for these im- portant cognitive functions.…”

Lateralized neural mechanisms underlying the modulation of response inhibition processes

“…For cognitive control processes (i.e., error monitoring) time-frequency analyses have shown that especially oscillations in the delta frequency band are empowered in cases, where demands on cognitive control and behavioural monitoring are increased (e.g. Yordanova et al, 2004;Beste et al, 2007Beste et al, , 2010b. In addition, plenty of evidence suggests that the alpha frequency band may also be relevant for the cognitive processes assessed in the present study.…”

Transcriptional Dys-regulation in Anxiety and Major Depression: 5-HT1A Gene Promoter Architecture as a Therapeutic Opportunity

“…For example, normal subjects with the GG-genotype showed reactions associated with increased negative emotionality in a reward-punishment paradigm [133]. Recent studies indicate that the presence of the G-allele in normal subjects associated with specific impairments in cognitive ability, including error and attentional processing [134,135]. These findings in normal subjects suggest that the rs6295 polymorphism generates impairments in emotional and cognitive processing that lead to an inability to handle stressful situations, leading to an increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety (Fig.…”