Perception of thermal pain and the thermal grill illusion is associated with polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene.

  • Fredrik Lindstedt
  • Tina Lonsdorf
  • Martin Schalling
  • Eva Kosek
  • Martin Ingvar

Related Research units

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess if the perception of thermal pain thresholds is associated with genetically inferred levels of expression of the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT). Additionally, the perception of the so-called thermal grill illusion (TGI) was assessed. Forty-four healthy individuals (27 females, 17 males) were selected a-priori based on their 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 ('tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR') genotype, with inferred high or low 5-HTT expression. Thresholds for heat- and cold-pain were determined along with the sensory and affective dimensions of the TGI.

Bibliographical data

Original languageEnglish
Article number3
ISSN1932-6203
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
pubmed 21423614