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Evidence for a common biological basis of the absorption trait, hallucinogen effects, and positive symptoms: Epistasis between 5-HT2a and COMT polymorphisms

Ulrich Ott, Martin Reuter, Juergen Hennig, Dieter Vaitl

American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics June 17, 2005 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30197 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Cross-sectional genetic association study Peer reviewed
Sample size 336
Population 95 male and 241 female subjects
Topics Serotonin
Citations 96
Key findings The T/T genotype of the T102C polymorphism in the 5-HT2a receptor gene is associated with significantly higher Absorption scores, with a significant interaction between T102C and COMT genotypes.

Abstract

Absorption represents a disposition to experience altered states of consciousness characterized by intensively focused attention. It is correlated with hypnotic susceptibility and includes phenomena ranging from vivid perceptions and imaginations to mystical experiences. Based on the assumption that drug-induced and naturally occurring mystical experiences share common neural mechanisms, we hypothesized that Absorption is influenced by the T102C polymorphism affecting the 5-HT2a receptor, which is known to be an important target site of hallucinogens like LSD. Based on the pivotal role ascribed to the prefrontal executive control network for absorbed attention and positive symptoms in schizophrenia, it was further hypothesized that Absorption is associated with the VAL158MET polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene affecting the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system. The Tellegen Absorption Scale was administered to 336 subjects (95 male, 241 female). Statistical analysis revealed that the group with the T/T genotype of the T102C polymorphism, implying a stronger binding potential of the 5-HT2a receptor, indeed had significantly higher Absorption scores (F = 10.00, P = 0.002), while no main effect was found for the COMT polymorphism. However, the interaction between T102C and COMT genotypes yielded significance (F = 3.89; P = 0.049), underlining the known functional interaction between the 5-HT and the dopaminergic system. These findings point to biological foundations of the personality trait of Absorption.

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Recreational use of psychedelics is associated with elevated personality trait openness: Exploration of associations with brain serotonin markers. 10 psychedelic-preferring recreational users, 14 MDMA-preferring users, and 21... 2019 Cross-sectional observational study n = 45
In Vivo Imaging of Cerebral Serotonin Transporter and Serotonin2A Receptor Binding in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “Ecstasy”) and Hallucinogen Users 2011 Cross-sectional study
Broadening Your Mind to Include Others: The relationship between serotonergic psychedelic experiences and maladaptive narcissism. Adults reporting a recent classical serotonergic psychedelic experience 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 414

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Serotonin Altered states of consciousness LSD Mystical experience Mysticism