Dopamine effects on human error processing depend on catechol-O-methyltransferase VAL158MET genotype

J Neurosci. 2011 Nov 2;31(44):15818-25. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2103-11.2011.

Abstract

Brain dopamine (DA) has been linked to error processing. Because high and low (vs medium) prefrontal cortex (PFC) DA levels may facilitate D2-receptor-related modulations of PFC neural activation patterns, we hypothesized that high and low DA predicts increased error-specific transitions of PFC activity. Male human participants (n = 169) were genotyped for the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism, associated with low (Val) and medium (Met) PFC DA levels. In addition, DRD2TaqIa and 5-HTTLPR, associated with striatal D(2) receptor density and serotonin uptake, respectively, were assessed. Participants received placebo or a selective DA-D(2) receptor blocker (sulpiride, 200 mg) and performed a Flanker task. EEG was recorded and decomposed into independent brain components (ICs) using independent component analysis. After errors, participants displayed (1) a negative deflection in ICs source-localized to the proximity of the anterior midcingulate cortex [IC-error-related negativity (IC-ERN)], (2) increased midcingulate cortex IC power in the delta/theta frequency range, and (3) slowing in the subsequent trial [posterror slowing (PES)]. Importantly, all, IC-ERN, delta/theta power, and PES were modulated by COMT × Substance interactions such that the Val allele predicted elevated IC-ERN, delta/theta power, and PES after placebo; this association was reversed under sulpiride. Because low doses of sulpiride presumably increase PFC DA levels, the COMT × Substance interaction supports the hypothesis that low (Val, placebo) and high (Met, sulpiride) versus medium (Val, sulpiride; Met, placebo) DA levels elevate reactivity to errors. Consistent with an influence of serotonin on PFC DA, the COMT × Substance interaction was modulated by 5-HTTLPR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials / drug effects
  • Evoked Potentials / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Processes / drug effects
  • Mental Processes / physiology*
  • Methionine / genetics*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Sulpiride / pharmacology
  • Time Factors
  • Valine / genetics*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Sulpiride
  • Methionine
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Valine
  • Dopamine