The effect of 1/f fluctuation in inter-stimulus intervals on auditory evoked mismatch field

We have previously reported that there is an up-regulation of the NR2B gene expression in the adult cortex and cultured fetal cortical neurons of mice following chronic ethanol treatment due to demethylation of cytosine residues in the NR2B gene CpG island. In the present study, we investigated the methylation pattern of the NR2B CpG island as a function of the mouse age by digesting the cortex genomic DNA with HpaII enzyme, amplifying the interested regions by performing PCR and detecting the methylated regions by Southern hybridization so as to determine whether age affects the methylation process. We observed demethylation of various regions of NR2B gene (5227–5567), (5647–6003), (6091–6445), (6424–7024) of adult mouse cortex. Our results indicate that methylation of NR2B gene in the mouse brain is age-dependent phenomenon.     

Association of genetic polymorphisms with personality profile in individuals without psychiatric disorders

Objective

Population-based twin studies demonstrate that approximately 40–50% of the variability in personality dimensions results from genetic factors.This study assessed selected polymorphisms in the COMT Val158Met, MAOA 3′VNTR, 5HTTLPR, 102T/C 5-HT2A, DAT 3′VNTR and DRD2 exon 8 genes and evaluated their association with personality profiles, anxiety levels, and depressiveness in healthy subjects.

Methods

This study included 406 unrelated (mean age 38.51 years), mentally and somatically healthy Caucasian subjects of Polish origin. The prevalence of the gene variants mentioned above and their association with personality profiles, anxiety levels, and depressiveness was assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory, NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck's Depression Inventory.

Results

The effects of the 5HTTLPR gene on the s/s genotype and empathy (C2) were lowest in the entire group. The effects of gender, age and the HT2A gene for the T/T genotype and attachment (RD3) were highest in women.The effects of gender, age and the DAT gene on the 9/9 DAT genotype, compassion (C4) and cooperativeness (C) were lowest in women. The effects of gender, age and the COMT gene on the Met/Met genotype and neuroticism (NEU) NEO-FFI were also lowest in women.

Conclusions

Our results suggest considerable influence of individual genes on the formation of personality traits.     

An improved DNA-based identification of fetuses at risk for HPA-1a (PlA1) neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

A simple and reliable procedure, based on DNA amplification and Hpa II mapping, is proposed for the identification of fetuses at risk for HPA-1a (Pl^A1) neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia which could cause life-threatening haemorrhage, even in early fetal life. This typing procedure for HPA-1 alleles should help in deciding, very early, the therapeutic management of the fetuses at risk.