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The influence of dopamine‐related genes on perceptual stability
Author(s) -
Schmack Katharina,
Sekutowicz Maria,
Rössler Hannes,
Brandl Eva J.,
Müller Daniel J.,
Sterzer Philipp
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/ejn.12339
Subject(s) - perception , bistability , psychology , dopaminergic , alternation (linguistics) , neuroscience , trait , dopamine , developmental psychology , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , programming language
Bistable perception is the spontaneous and automatic alternation between two different perceptual states that occurs when sensory information is ambiguous. Perceptual alternation rates are robust within individuals but vary substantially between individuals. Slowed perceptual switching has been consistently reported in patients with bipolar disorder ( BPD ) and has been suggested as a trait marker for this disease. Although genetic factors have been implicated in both BPD and bistable perception, the underlying biological mechanisms that mediate the observed perceptual stability in BPD remain elusive. Here, we tested the effect of two variable number tandem repeat ( VNTR ) polymorphisms in DRD 4 and DAT 1 ( SLC 6 A 3), both candidate genes for BPD with functional impact on dopaminergic neurotransmission, on bistable perception in a cohort of 108 healthy human subjects. The BPD risk allele DRD 4‐2 R was significantly associated with slow perceptual switching. There was no effect of DAT 1 genotype on bistable perception. Our findings indicate that genetic differences in dopaminergic neurotransmission linked to BPD also account for interindividual variability in bistable perception, thus providing a genetic basis for perceptual stability as a trait marker of BPD.