An important source of individual variability in brain function is genetic variability in dopamine (DA) regulation. Extracellular DA levels are regulated by clearance mechanisms such as COMT (catechol-O- methyltransferase), an enzyme that degrades DA in synapses. COMT has two genetic variants which produce different levels of DA in prefrontal cortex. Effects of this gene have been observed in functional activation during working memory. However, it is currently unknown whether those genetic effects extend to deactivation and functional connectivity. During performance of working memory tasks, activity within certain """"""""task- negative"""""""" regions is suppressed compared to task-free conditions. Activity within these regions is temporally correlated during task and during rest, suggesting that they form a network. It is possible that COMT genotype modulates activation in task-relevant regions, as well as deactivation and functional connectivity of task- negative regions. Here, healthy adults carrying variants of COMT will undergo fMRI during a working memory task with load manipulation and during rest.
Specific Aim 1 will characterize differences by COMT alleles and by working memory load in activated and deactivated regions. ANOVAs examining COMT and WM load effects on activation will localize independent (main effect of COMT) and interactive (COMT X WM load) effects of the genotype.
Specific Aim 2 will characterize differences by COMT alleles and by working memory load in functional connectivity during working memory. Activity within observed task-positive and task-negative regions will be correlated to determine within-network functional connectivities. Subsequently, ANOVAs examining COMT and WM load effects on connectivity will be conducted.
Specific Aim 3 will examine differences in resting-state functional connectivity by COMT alleles. Independent Components Analysis will be used to delineate each subject's task-negative network. A group analysis will then be conducted examining the effect of COMT on the network's spatial extent. Findings of the proposed study will extend current knowledge of COMT effects (activation during task-states) and will also break new ground (deactivation and connectivity during task-states and resting-state). Importantly, the integrity of the task-negative network predicts healthy attentional control and is disrupted in Schizophrenia, a disorder with working memory dysfunction whose pathogenesis involves COMT.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal will investigate how COMT, a gene which regulates dopamine, may influence brain activity and communication between brain regions during a memory task. This research may increase understanding of schizophrenia, which is linked to COMT and associated with memory problems.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH088066-03
Application #
8286825
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F12A-E (20))
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2010-07-01
Project End
2013-01-15
Budget Start
2012-07-01
Budget End
2013-01-15
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$19,405
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgetown University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
049515844
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20057
Gordon, Evan M; Devaney, Joseph M; Bean, Stephanie et al. (2015) Resting-state striato-frontal functional connectivity is sensitive to DAT1 genotype and predicts executive function. Cereb Cortex 25:336-45
Gordon, Evan M; Breeden, Andrew L; Bean, Stephanie E et al. (2014) Working memory-related changes in functional connectivity persist beyond task disengagement. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1004-17
Washington, Stuart D; Gordon, Evan M; Brar, Jasmit et al. (2014) Dysmaturation of the default mode network in autism. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1284-96
Stillman, Chelsea M; Gordon, Evan M; Simon, Jessica R et al. (2013) Caudate resting connectivity predicts implicit probabilistic sequence learning. Brain Connect 3:601-10
Vaidya, Chandan J; Gordon, Evan M (2013) Phenotypic variability in resting-state functional connectivity: current status. Brain Connect 3:99-120
Gordon, Evan M; Stollstorff, Melanie; Vaidya, Chandan J (2012) Using spatial multiple regression to identify intrinsic connectivity networks involved in working memory performance. Hum Brain Mapp 33:1536-52
Gordon, Evan M; Stollstorff, Melanie; Devaney, Joseph M et al. (2012) Effect of dopamine transporter genotype on intrinsic functional connectivity depends on cognitive state. Cereb Cortex 22:2182-96