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  • Original Research Article
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A regulatory variant of the human tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene biases amygdala reactivity

Abstract

Recent studies have indicated that a newly identified second isoform of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene (TPH2) is preferentially involved in the rate-limiting synthesis of neuronal serotonin. Genetic variation in the human TPH2 gene (hTPH2) has been associated with altered in vitro enzyme activity as well as increased risk for mood disorders. Here, we provide the first in vivo evidence that a relatively frequent regulatory variant (G(−844)T) of hTPH2 biases the reactivity of the amygdala, a neural structure critical in the generation and regulation of emotional behaviors.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Scott Kurdilla and Mark Kimac for their invaluable assistance. This study was supported by a NARSAD Young Investigator Award to ARH and NIH Grants P01HL040962-15 and R01HL065137-04 to SBM.

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Correspondence to A R Hariri.

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Brown, S., Peet, E., Manuck, S. et al. A regulatory variant of the human tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene biases amygdala reactivity. Mol Psychiatry 10, 884–888 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4001716

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