This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This project will examine genotypic influences on prefrontally-guided behaviors in healthy adolescents and young adults, ages 9 to 25 years. A behavioral study is underway in the Center for Neurobehavioral Development whereby participants unergo a 4-6 hour neurocognitive study. Most of the measures implemented have been carefully selected to recruit activity in the dorsal, medial, and ventral regions of the prefrontal cortex. Diverent measureds of recognition memory and motor function are also included, as are personality measures. The human molecular genetics literature suggests that many of these functions (frontal lobe mediated behaviors, personality traits) are impacted by genotypic variants in genes that influence dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmission. In this study, we wish to examine functional polymorphisms of three genes (the catechol-o-methyltransferase, dopamine D4 receptor, and serotonin transporter) in relation to prefrontal function in adolescents. We will consider the impact of genotype on behavioral performance across tasks as well as within each age and maturational group to determine whether genotype-cognition interactions are equally potent pre-versus post-puberty. This work will have profound implications for the study of psychopathology, since many genetically-based disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, substance abuse) manifest during adolescence. The GCRC's nursing and laboratory services are requested to (a) draw blood samples, (b) process the samples for molecular genetic analysis, (c) DNA extraction, and (d) genotyping along the three dimensions to be described.
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