| Title: |
The heterogeneity of Depression: Towards a better understanding of the biological basis (PhD Experiment 3: Investigation of the impact of 5-HTT and BDNF on Go / No - Go ERPs) |
| Research Area(s): |
Depression |
| Background: |
Rationale (Experiment 3): A better understanding of the impact genotype (5-HTT, BDNF) on behavioural impulsivity and neural inhibition may provide further insight into the gene-brain-behavioural interaction relating to response inhibition. |
| Aims: |
Aim of Experiment 3: To examine the impact of genotype (5-HTT, BDNF) on behavioural impulsivity and neural inhibition.
Research Question/s:
• Does variance in 5-HTT and BDNF genotype impact on go/no-go ERPs? Is there a gene x gene interaction that impacts on these ERPs?
Hypotheses:
• Participants with the 5-HTT short allele will display impairments similar to those observed in experiment 2 for those participants with higher levels of depression.
• Participants with who have experienced early life stress and carry the BDNF Met allele will display higher levels of depression via specific ERP impairment, while participants with the BDNF V/V genotype will display high anxiety and impulsivity.
• 5-HTT and BDNF genotypes will be associated with depression, anxiety and impulsivity via ERPs.
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| Method: |
Methodology: Various ANOVAs and Regression techniques will be conducted. For example, an ANOVA will be conducted using a between-group (5-HTT and BDNF alleles) X within-subject design including, site (frontal, central, parietal) and hemisphere (left, right). Logistic regression analyses will be conducted to predict the genetic allelic variants as dependent variables. Path modelling will also be used to see if depression and anxiety are predicted by the mediating effects of brain function. |