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Neuroticism and polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene
I J Deary1, S Battersby, M C Whiteman
1Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh.
Psychological Medicine
|July 15, 1999
Summary
This study found no association between serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) polymorphisms and neuroticism in older adults. Previous reports linking 5-HTT gene variations to neuroticism were not supported by these findings.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Previous research suggests a link between human serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) polymorphisms and neuroticism.
- These polymorphisms have also been associated with affective disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between neuroticism and two specific 5-HTT gene polymorphisms.
- To examine the relationship in a general population sample of older adults.
Main Methods:
- Studied 204 individuals over 60 from a general population sample.
- Assessed neuroticism levels, categorizing participants into high and low scorers.
- Analyzed polymorphisms in the 5-HTT-linked promoter region and a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) region of the 5-HTT gene.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies were found between high and low neuroticism scorers.
- Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed between the two 5-HTT gene polymorphisms.
- Haplotype analysis revealed no association between neuroticism levels and specific haplotypes.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support previous reports of an association between the studied 5-HTT gene polymorphisms and the personality trait of neuroticism.
- This study suggests that the investigated 5-HTT gene variations may not be a significant factor in neuroticism in older adults.