Serotonin Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) Predicts Biased Attention for Emotion Stimuli

Abstract

A number of studies have found an association between attentional bias for negative stimuli and variation in the serotonin transporter promoter region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). The current project examined whether a positive social environment mitigates this association. More specifically, we examined the relationship among attentional bias on the dot-probe task, variation in the 5-HTTLPR, and current social support among a community sample of adults (N = 216). Consistent with prior research, the S/L_G homozygotes were more likely than the other genotype groups to have a negative attention bias. However, social support moderated the association between 5-HTTLPR variation and attentional bias. The S/L_G homozygote group was particularly likely to exhibit greater attentional bias toward negative stimuli at low levels of social support. However, as social support improved, negative attention bias decreased. Findings suggest that supportive environments may attenuate genetic associations with negative attention bias.