Effects of AKAP5 Pro100Leu genotype on working memory for emotional stimuli

PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e55613. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055613. Epub 2013 Jan 29.

Abstract

Recent investigations addressing the role of the synaptic multiadaptor molecule AKAP5 in human emotion and behavior suggest that the AKAP5 Pro100Leu polymorphism (rs2230491) contributes to individual differences in affective control. Carriers of the less common Leu allele show a higher control of anger as indicated by behavioral measures and dACC brain response on emotional distracters when compared to Pro homozygotes. In the current fMRI study we used an emotional working memory task according to the n-back scheme with neutral and negative emotional faces as target stimuli. Pro homozygotes showed a performance advantage at the behavioral level and exhibited enhanced activation of the amygdala and fusiform face area during working memory for emotional faces. On the other hand, Leu carriers exhibited increased activation of the dACC during performance of the 2-back condition. Our results suggest that AKAP5 Pro100Leu effects on emotion processing might be task-dependent with Pro homozygotes showing lower control of emotional interference, but more efficient processing of task-relevant emotional stimuli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / genetics*
  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Female
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • AKAP5 protein, human

Grants and funding

The present project is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 779, TP A8), the "Pakt für Forschung und Innovation"of the Leibniz Society (Leibniz Graduate School Synaptogenetics), and the State of Saxony-Anhalt. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.