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EBSCOhost Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Beschreibungen/Notizen
Rationale/objectives
Both the neuropeptide S (NPS) system and antagonism at the adenosine A2A receptor (e.g., by caffeine) were found to play a crucial role in the mediation of arousal and anxiety/panic in animal and human studies. Furthermore, a complex interaction of the neuropeptide S and the adenosinergic system has been suggested with administration of the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist caffeine downregulating NPS levels (Lage et al.,
2006
) and attenuating the stimulatory effects of NPS in rodents (Boeck et al.,
2010
).
Methods
Thus, in the present study, the impact of the functional neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) A/T (Asn
107
Ile; rs324981) variant on affect-modulated (neutral, unpleasant, and pleasant IAPS pictures) startle response depending on the administration of 300 mg caffeine citrate was investigated in a sample of 124 (
m
= 58,
f
= 66) healthy probands using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
Results
ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between
NPSR
genotype, challenge condition, and picture valence. Comparing startle magnitudes upon stimulation with neutral or emotional pictures between the placebo and caffeine condition, in AA/AT non-risk genotype carriers no significant difference was discerned, while TT risk genotype carriers showed a significantly increased startle magnitude in response to neutral stimuli (
p
= .02) and a significantly decreased startle magnitude in response to unpleasant stimuli (
p
= .02) in the caffeine condition as compared to the placebo condition.
Conclusions
In summary, the present findings — extending previous evidence from rodent studies — for the first time provide support for a complex, non-linear interaction of the neuropeptide S and adenosinergic systems affecting the affect-modulated startle response as an intermediate phenotype of anxiety in humans.