Automatic semantic processing can be assessed using semantic priming paradigms. Individual differences in semantic priming have been associated with differences in executive functions. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met (substitution of valine (Val) to methionine (Met) at codon 66) polymorphism has been shown to be associated with executive functions as well as depression. Depression-associated variables such as depressed mood also moderated the relationship between BDNF Val66Met and executive functions in previous work. In this study, we therefore aimed at investigating whether BDNF Val66Met genotype modulates masked and unmasked semantic priming as well as executive functions and whether sadness is a moderator of these associations. We collected data of N = 155 participants measuring reaction times (RTs) as well as error rates (ERs) in masked and unmasked semantic priming paradigms using a lexical decision task. We assessed the primary emotion of SADNESS using the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scale (ANPS) and working memory using digit span forward and backward tasks. Met+ carriers showed reduced RT priming and increased ER priming in the masked priming paradigm. Even though there was no direct association between BDNF Val66Met and executive functions, SADNESS significantly moderated the association between BDNF Val66Met and executive functions as well as masked RT priming. We suggest that Met+ individuals with low depressive tendencies have not only superior EF, but also a faster and more superficial processing style, compared with Val/Val homozygotes. However, in Met+ individuals, cognitive functioning exhibits a greater vulnerability to depressed emotionality compared with Val/Val homozygotes. Our study thus demonstrates how emotional and molecular genetic factors exert an interacting influence on higher-level cognition.

中文翻译：

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抑郁情绪调节 BDNF Val66Met 多态性对执行功能和无意识语义启动的影响。


自动语义处理可以使用语义启动范例进行评估。语义启动的个体差异与执行功能的差异有关。脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF) Val66Met（密码子 66 处缬氨酸 (Val) 替换为蛋氨酸 (Met)）多态性已被证明与执行功能和抑郁症相关。在之前的研究中，与抑郁相关的变量（例如抑郁情绪）也调节了 BDNF Val66Met 与执行功能之间的关系。因此，在这项研究中，我们旨在调查 BDNF Val66Met 基因型是否调节隐藏和未隐藏的语义启动以及执行功能，以及悲伤是否是这些关联的调节因素。我们收集了N = 155 名参与者的数据，使用词汇决策任务测量屏蔽和非屏蔽语义启动范例中的反应时间 (RT) 以及错误率 (ER)。我们使用情感神经科学人格量表（ANPS）评估悲伤的主要情绪，并使用数字跨度向前和向后任务评估工作记忆。在掩蔽启动范例中，Met+载体表现出RT启动减少和ER启动增加。尽管 BDNF Val66Met 与执行功能之间没有直接关联，但 SADNESS 显着调节了 BDNF Val66Met 与执行功能以及掩蔽 RT 启动之间的关联。我们认为，与 Val/Val 纯合子相比，低抑郁倾向的 Met+ 个体不仅具有优异的 EF，而且具有更快、更肤浅的处理方式。然而，与 Val/Val 纯合子相比，Met+ 个体的认知功能更容易受到抑郁情绪的影响。 因此，我们的研究证明了情绪和分子遗传因素如何对更高层次的认知产生相互作用的影响。