Hemispheric Specialization and Depression

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from lecture notes on hemispheric specialization in the brain and the influence of genetics on depression.

Right Middle Frontal Gyrus (Area 46)

Brain region that demonstrates top-down effects specific to the right hemisphere in tasks with right hemisphere dominance.

Hemispheric Specialization

The concept that different tasks and functions are primarily processed in one hemisphere of the brain over the other.

5-HTT Gene

Serotonin transporter gene; a functional polymorphism in the promoter region influences vulnerability to depression based on interaction with stressful life events.

5-HTTLPR

5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region; a sequence element within the proximal 5' regulatory region of the 5-HTT gene that modifies promoter activity.

s allele

The short allele in the 5-HTTLPR which is associated with lower transcriptional efficiency of the promoter compared to the long allele.

l allele

The long allele in the 5-HTTLPR which has higher transcriptional efficiency of the promoter compared to the short allele.

G x E Interaction

Gene-by-environment interaction; an individual's response to environmental insults is moderated by their genetic makeup.

Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study

A prospective-longitudinal study of a representative birth cohort used to test the influence of stressful experiences of depression.

Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA)

The gene encoding the neurotransmitter-metabolizing enzyme that moderates children’s sensitivity to maltreatment