Gene Mutations Affect Cognition, Emotions. (Imaging Studies)
Evans, Jeff, Clinical Psychiatry News
BETHESDA, MD. -- Specific mutations to single genes may help predispose some patients to abnormal behaviors, Dr. Daniel R. Weinberger said at a psychopharmacology update sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health.
In imaging studies, seemingly insignificant polymorphisms in three well-studied genes have been observed to have a relatively large impact on information processing and emotional responses.
Several studies have focused on the effects of a single-base pair substitution in the gene that codes for catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT), which breaks down dopamine, said Dr. Weinberger, chief of the clinical brain disorders branch of the National Institute of Mental Health.
The mutation makes the COMT enzyme about …
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Publication information:
Article title: Gene Mutations Affect Cognition, Emotions. (Imaging Studies).
Contributors: Evans, Jeff - Author.
Magazine title: Clinical Psychiatry News.
Volume: 31.
Issue: 2
Publication date: February 2003.
Page number: 34+.
© 2009 International Medical News Group.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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