PSYC20006 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Basolateral Amygdala, 5-Ht1A Receptor, Model Organism

• School: University of Melbourne
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC20006
• Professor: Stefan Bode

Document Summary

Lecture 20 (w10. 2): connecting genes, brain & behaviour. Genetic associations with behaviour can only hint at biological pathways involved: using bioinformatics can translate" human genetic mutation to target homologous gene in model organism, model organisms allow more direct measurement at multiple levels, structure, function, behaviour. Neurogenetics: htr1a studies: htr1a: human gene encoding serotonin-1a receptor. If functional snp situated in promotor region, likely affects protein transcription not structure: snp rs6295 in promotor region of htr1a associated with trait anxiety. Individual differences in trait anxiety predict the response of the basolateral amygdala to unconsciously processed fearful faces: strong positive correlation, brain function + behaviour. Increased amygdala reactivity associated with increased trait anxiety: amygdala reactivity measured by comparing amygdala bold activation when viewing fearful vs neutral faces. Inverse relationship between serotonin 5-ht1a receptor binding & anxiety. Htr1a: tauscher et al. (2009: pet investigation in healthy volunteers, brain anatomy + behaviour. Htr1a transcription: decreased receptor density, indexed by binding potential.