Work

Older age may offset genetic influence on affect: The COMT polymorphism and affective well-being across the life span.

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT_Val158Met) genetic polymorphism has been linked to variation in affective well-being. Compared with Val carriers, Met carriers experience lower affective well-being. In parallel, research on aging and affective experience finds that younger adults experience poorer affective well-being than older adults. This study examined how COMT and age may interact to shape daily affective experience across the life span. Results suggest that Met (vs. Val) carriers experience lower levels of affective well-being in younger but not in older ages. These findings suggest that age-related improvements in emotional functioning may offset genetic vulnerabilities to negative affective experience. (PsycINFO Database Record

Source: Psychology and Aging

DOI: 10.1037/pag0000085

Authors: Bulent Turan, Tamara Sims, Sasha E. Best, Laura L. Carstensen

Institutions: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Stanford University, VA Northern California Health Care System

Language: English

Topic: Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institute on Aging