Serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype and childhood trauma are associated with individual differences in decision making

Authors

Scott F. Stoltenberg, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Melissa K. Lehmann, Black Hills State University
Cynthia Anderson, Black Hills State UniversityFollow
Parthasarathi Nag, Black Hills State University
Cheryl Anagnopoulos, Black Hills State University

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2011

Citation

Frontiers in Genetics, Behavioral and Psychiatric Genetics June 2011 Volume 2 Article 33

Comments

Copyright 2011 Stoltenberg et al.

Abstract

The factors that influence individual differences in decision making are not yet fully characterized, but convergent evidence is accumulating that implicates serotonin (5-HT) system function. Therefore, both genes and environments that influence serotonin function are good candidates for association with risky decision making. In the present study we examined associations between common polymorph isms in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4; 5-HTTLPR and rs25531)' the experience of childhood trauma and decision making on the Iowa gambling task (IGT) in 391 (64.5% female) healthy Caucasian adults. Homozygosity for the 5-HTTLPR L allele was associated with riskier decision making in the first block of 20 trials (i.e., decision making under ambiguity, p = 0.004). In addition, mean IGT performance was significantly worse in blocks 3-5 (i.e., decision making under risk, p < 0.05) for those participants who reported experiencing higher levels of childhood trauma. Our findings add to the growing evidence that genetic variation in the 5-HT system is associated with individual differences in decision making under ambiguity; and we report that the experience of childhood trauma is associated with relatively poor decision making under risk.