The effects of gene polymorphisms of the serotonin- and dopaminergic systems on the level of cognitive and neural functions in extreme conditions of professional activity

Abstract

To assess changes in neurodynamic and cognitive functions associated with extreme exercise loads depending on gene polymorphism which regulates cerebral monoamic system, military men were examined. It is shown that the most informative techniques to assess changes in cognitive functions are “Arithmetic count” and “Conformity establishment”. The results of the examination stated that people with COMT Val/Val genotypes demonstrated evidently higher cognitive flexibility after extreme exercise loads at performing combat training tasks than those with alleles COMT Met. The most reliable results of changes in neurodynamic functions were obtained using techniques “Reaction to the moving object” and “Landolt’s rings visual acuity test”. Military men with genotypes 5HTT S/S, 5HT2A C/C and DRD2 A1/A1 demonstrated the best indices after extreme exercise loads than those with alleles 5HTT L, 5HT2A T, DRD2 A2. Using methods of genetic screening allows a significant increase of prognostic selection and evaluation of specialists’ abilities necessary for the efficient activity in extreme conditions within the stated above forces. It was shown that gene analysis 5HTT, 5HT2A, DRD2 and COMT is significant at professional selection of the candidates to use difficult ergonomic systems at performing combat tasks.