Genetic variants in AVPR1A linked to autism predict amygdala activation and personality traits in healthy humans

A. Meyer-Lindenberg, B. Kolachana, B. Gold, A. Olsh, K. K. Nicodemus, V. Mattay, M. Dean, D. R. Weinberger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

In mammals, the neuropeptide vasopressin is a key molecule for complex emotional and social behaviours. Two microsatellite polymorphisms, RS1 and RS3, near the promoter of AVPR1A, encoding the receptor subtype most heavily implicated in behaviour regulation, have been linked to autism and behavioural traits. However, the impact of these variants on human brain function is unknown. Here we show that human amygdala function is strongly associated with genetic variation in AVPR1A. Using an imaging genetics approach in a sample of 121 volunteers studied with an emotional face-matching paradigm, we found that differential activation of amygdala is observed in carriers of risk alleles for RS3 and RS1. Alleles in RS1 previously reported to be significantly over- and undertransmitted to autistic probands showed opposing effects on amygdala activation. Furthermore, we show functional difference in human brain between short and long repeat lengths that mirror findings recently obtained in a corresponding variant in voles. Our results indicate a neural mechanism mediating genetic risk for autism through an impact on amygdala signalling and provide a rationale for exploring therapeutic strategies aimed at abnormal amygdala function in this disorder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)968-975
Number of pages8
JournalMolecular psychiatry
Volume14
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AVPR1A
  • Autism
  • Neuroimaging
  • Vasopressin
  • fMRI

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology

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