Genotypes of polymorphic locus of BDNF gene and sex as factors of individual differences in cognitive styles

<p><strong>Context and relevance.</strong> This study continues a series of experiments that aim to investigate the relationship between micro- and meso-levels of coping intelligence. The variability of cognitive styles is considered as a manifestation of individual differences in coping intelligence. <strong>Objective:</strong> to clarify the role of genotypes of polymorphic BDNF gene loci and sex in individual differences in cognitive styles. <strong>Hypothesis.</strong> Genotypes of polymorphic loci of BDNF and COMT genes, as well as sex, may act as factors in individual differences in cognitive styles. <strong>Methods and materials.</strong> The study involved 222 respondents aged 25 to 54 years (35,80 ± 9,47 years; 47,3% of men). Methods of analysis included identification of genotypes at the polymorphic rs6265 locus of the BDNF gene; Cognitive-Personality Style Questionnaire, CPS-Q; intelligence test, Raven's SPM. <strong>Results.</strong> In the sample of men with a change in the genotype of the BDNF gene (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met), an increase in intelligence is noted (F = 3.683, p = 0.028), but at the same time, field independence (F = 4.991, p = 0.009), flexibility of cognitive control (F = 4.058, p = 0.020), and abstract conceptualization (F = 2.980, p = 0.05) decrease. In the sample of women with a change in the BDNF gene genotype (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met), no significant changes in IQ were found, but an increase in the severity of such cognitive styles as field independence (F = 10.893, p < 0.001), wide range of equivalence (F = 7.814, p < 0.001), flexibility of cognitive control (F = 3.633, p = 0.030), reflectivity (F = 3.633, p = 0.030), and abstract conceptualization (F = 4.387, p = 0.015) was revealed. <strong>Conclusions. </strong>Empirical data were obtained on the influence of BDNF gene genotypes and sex, as well as the effects of their interaction on individual differences in cognitive styles: 1) BDNF gene genotypes have the main effect on variations in individual differences in cognitive styles (Pillai's Trace = 0,211, F = 2,026, p = 0,003, η<sup>2 </sup>= 0.106); 2) sex has the main effect on variations in individual differences in cognitive styles (Pillai's Trace = 0,124, F = 2,428, p = 0,006, η<sup>2 </sup>= 0,124); 3) the influence of the “BDNF gene genotype” factor on variations in individual differences in cognitive styles depends on variations in the “sex” factor (Pillai's Trace = 0,225, F = 2,176, p = 0,001, η<sup>2 </sup>= 0.112).</p>