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Theory of Mind: A Brief Review of Candidate Genes
- Source :
- Genes, Vol 15, Iss 6, p 717 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2024.
-
Abstract
- Deficits in theory of mind (ToM), known as the ability to understand the other’s mind, have been associated with several psychopathological outcomes. The present systematic review aims to summarize the results of genetic studies that investigated gene polymorphisms associated with mentalization performance tasks in children and adults. The systematic review was carried out following PRISMA guidelines, and the literature search was conducted in PubMed and EBSCOhost using the following keywords: ‘theory of mind, mentalizing, mindreading’ and ‘gene, genetic basis’. Nineteen studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Most of the literature focused on the role of DRD4, DAT1, OXTR, OXT, COMT, ZNF804A, AVP, AVPR, SCL6A4, EFHC2, MAO-A, and the family of GTF2I genes in influencing ToM. However, controversial results emerged in sustaining the link between specific genetic polymorphisms and mentalization abilities in children and adults. Available data show heterogeneous outcomes, with studies reporting an association between the same family genes in subjects of the same age and other studies reporting no correlation. This does not allow us to draw any solid conclusions but paves the way for exploring genes involved in ToM tasks.
- Subjects :
- theory of mind
mentalization
genes polymorphism
genetic basis
Genetics
QH426-470
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20734425
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Genes
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.4d4396c9faa94eef9177fc2f20aee5cb
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060717