The effect of catecholaminergic genes on executive functions : a behavioural and fMRI study

Abstract

This thesis describes a study in two parts aimed at elucidating genetic links to executive functions and their neurological correlates. The catecholamines (in particular dopamine and noradrenaline) are known to be heavily involved in the modulation of executive functions, including sustained and spatial attention, response inhibition and spatial working memory. Genes involved in the synthesis and management of catecholamines were therefore considered likely targets for genetic studies of these functions.