Differences in motor learning can be partially explained by differences in genotype. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism regulates the dopamine (DA) availability in the prefrontal cortex modulating motor learning and performance. Given the differences in tonic and phasic DA transmission, this study aimed to investigate whether the greater cognitive flexibility associated with the Val allele would favor the learning of movement parametrization, while the greater cognitive stability associated with the Met allele favors the acquisition of the movement pattern. Furthermore, we investigated if the genotypic characteristics impact visual scanning of information related to parametrization and to the movement pattern, and the level of cortical connectivity associated with motor planning and control. Performance and learning of a sequential motor task were compared among three genotypes (Val/Val, Val/Met, and Met/Met), as well as their oculomotor behavior and level of cortical coherence. The findings show that the cognitive flexibility promoted by the Val allele is associated with a better parametrization. The search for information through visual scanning was specific to each genotype. Also, a greater cortical connectivity associated with the Val allele was found. The combined study of behavioral, electrophysiological and molecular levels of analysis showed that the cognitive stability and flexibility associated with the COMT alleles, influence specific aspects of motor learning.

中文翻译：

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运动学习和COMT Val158met多态性：动眼行为和皮层皮质通讯的分析。

运动学习的差异可以通过基因型差异来部分解释。儿茶酚-O-甲基转移酶（COMT）Val158Met多态性调节前额叶皮层中多巴胺（DA）的可用性，调节运动学习和性能。考虑到进补和阶段性DA传递的差异，本研究旨在调查与Val等位基因相关的更大的认知灵活性是否有利于运动参数化的学习，而与Met等位基因相关的更大的认知稳定性是否有利于运动模式的获得。此外，我们调查了基因型特征是否影响与参数化和运动模式有关的信息的视觉扫描，以及与运动计划和控制相关的皮质连接水平。比较了三种基因型（Val / Val，Val / Met和Met / Met）的顺序运动任​​务的性能和学习情况，以及它们的动眼行为和皮层连贯性水平。研究结果表明，Val等位基因促进的认知灵活性与更好的参数化有关。通过视觉扫描寻找信息是特定于每种基因型的。另外，发现与Val等位基因相关的更大的皮质连接性。行为，电生理和分子水平分析的综合研究表明，与COMT等位基因相关的认知稳定性和灵活性会影响运动学习的特定方面。研究结果表明，Val等位基因促进的认知灵活性与更好的参数化有关。通过视觉扫描寻找信息是特定于每种基因型的。另外，发现与Val等位基因相关的更大的皮质连接性。行为，电生理和分子水平分析的综合研究表明，与COMT等位基因相关的认知稳定性和灵活性会影响运动学习的特定方面。研究结果表明，Val等位基因促进的认知灵活性与更好的参数化有关。通过视觉扫描寻找信息是特定于每种基因型的。另外，发现与Val等位基因相关的更大的皮质连接性。行为，电生理和分子水平分析的综合研究表明，与COMT等位基因相关的认知稳定性和灵活性会影响运动学习的特定方面。