Omar Mothersill1, Derek W Morris1, Sinead Kelly1, Emma Jane Rose2, Ciara Fahey1, Carol O'Brien1, Ronan Lyne1, Richard Reilly3, Michael Gill1, Aiden P Corvin1, Gary Donohoe4. 1. Neuropsychiatric Genetics Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. 2. Neuropsychiatric Genetics Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Transdisciplinary Science and Translational Prevention Program (TSTPP), Research Triangle Institute International, Baltimore, MD, USA. 3. Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. 4. Neuropsychiatric Genetics Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: gary.donohoe@nuigalway.ie.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: MIR137 is implicated in brain development and encodes a microRNA that regulates neuronal maturation and adult neurogenesis. Recently, a common genetic variant within MIR137 showed genome wide evidence of association with schizophrenia, and with altered amygdala activation in those at genetic risk for schizophrenia. Following this evidence, we investigated the effects of MIR137 genotype on neuronal activity during face processing. METHODS: By grouping 81 healthy participants as carrier or non-carriers of the MIR137 rs1625579 risk allele associated with schizophrenia, we investigated MIR137's effects on altered cortical response during an fMRI face processing task and altered functional connectivity using the amygdala as a seed region. RESULTS: Homozygous carriers of the risk allele were observed to show relatively increased functional connectivity between the right amygdala and frontal regions that play a key role in emotion processing and regulation (e.g. the cingulate and prefrontal cortex). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide the first evidence that the rs1625579 variant affects fronto-amygdala functional connectivity, providing further evidence that MIR137 may contribute to forms of psychosis in which affective symptoms are more prominent.
BACKGROUND:MIR137 is implicated in brain development and encodes a microRNA that regulates neuronal maturation and adult neurogenesis. Recently, a common genetic variant within MIR137 showed genome wide evidence of association with schizophrenia, and with altered amygdala activation in those at genetic risk for schizophrenia. Following this evidence, we investigated the effects of MIR137 genotype on neuronal activity during face processing. METHODS: By grouping 81 healthy participants as carrier or non-carriers of the MIR137rs1625579 risk allele associated with schizophrenia, we investigated MIR137's effects on altered cortical response during an fMRI face processing task and altered functional connectivity using the amygdala as a seed region. RESULTS: Homozygous carriers of the risk allele were observed to show relatively increased functional connectivity between the right amygdala and frontal regions that play a key role in emotion processing and regulation (e.g. the cingulate and prefrontal cortex). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide the first evidence that the rs1625579 variant affects fronto-amygdala functional connectivity, providing further evidence that MIR137 may contribute to forms of psychosis in which affective symptoms are more prominent.
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