Open AccessCortico‐limbic connectivity in MAOA ‐L carriers is vulnerable to acute tryptophan depletion
Author(s) -
Eisner Patrick,
Klasen Martin,
Wolf Dhana,
Zerres Klaus,
Eggermann Thomas,
Eisert Albrecht,
Zvyagintsev Mikhail,
Sarkheil Pegah,
Mathiak Krystyna A.,
Zepf Florian,
Mathiak Klaus
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.23475
Subject(s) - amygdala , neuroscience , serotonergic , psychology , limbic system , monoamine oxidase a , prefrontal cortex , serotonin , insula , medicine , central nervous system , cognition , receptor
A gene–environment interaction between expression genotypes of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and adverse childhood experience increases the risk of antisocial behavior. However, the neural underpinnings of this interaction remain uninvestigated. A cortico‐limbic circuit involving the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the amygdala is central to the suppression of aggressive impulses and is modulated by serotonin (5‐HT). MAOA genotypes may modulate the vulnerability of this circuit and increase the risk for emotion regulation deficits after specific life events. Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) challenges 5‐HT regulation and may identify vulnerable neuronal circuits, contributing to the gene–environment interaction. Methods Functional magnetic resonance imaging measured the resting‐state state activity in 64 healthy males in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Cortical maps of amygdala correlation identified the impact of ATD and its interaction with low‐ ( MAOA ‐L) and high‐expression variants ( MAOA ‐H) of MAOA on cortico‐limbic connectivity. Results Across all Regions of Interest (ROIs) exhibiting an ATD effect on cortico‐limbic connectivity, MAOA ‐L carriers were more susceptible to ATD than MAOA ‐H carriers. In particular, the MAOA ‐L group exhibited a larger reduction of amygdala connectivity with the right prefrontal cortex and a larger increase of amygdala connectivity with the insula and dorsal PCC. Conclusion MAOA ‐L carriers were more susceptable to a central 5‐HT challenge in cortico‐limbic networks. Such vulnerability of the cortical serotonergic system may contribute to the emergence of antisocial behavior after systemic challenges, observed as gene–environment interaction. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1622–1635, 2017 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.