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Genes for personality traits: implications for psychopathology
Jonathan Benjamin1, Richard P. Ebstein, Klaus-Peter Lesch
1Laboratory of Clinical Science, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Md, USA, Division of Psychiatry, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-sheba, Israel.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
|April 3, 2001
Summary
Genetic research links specific genes to personality traits. The dopamine D4 receptor gene (D4DR) is associated with novelty-seeking, and the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) with anxiety and depression.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatric genetics
Background:
- Personality traits exhibit significant heritability (30-60%).
- Identifying specific genes influencing normal personality has been challenging.
- Previous studies suggested a quantitative trait locus (QTL) approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between specific genes and normal personality traits.
- To explore the role of dopamine D4 receptor (D4DR) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genes in personality variation.
- To examine potential gene-gene interactions influencing personality.
Main Methods:
- Association studies in Israeli (n=124) and American (n=315, extended to 505) volunteers.
- Genotyping for the dopamine D4 receptor gene (D4DR).
- Analysis of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) promoter polymorphism and its effect on gene expression and 5-HT uptake.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between the D4DR gene and the personality trait of novelty-seeking.
- Preliminary evidence suggested an interaction between D4DR and the serotonin 2C receptor gene (5-HT-2C) affecting reward dependence.
- The 5-HTT promoter polymorphism was associated with anxiety- and depression-related personality traits in a larger American sample.
Conclusions:
- Specific genes, including D4DR and 5-HTT, are implicated in the genetic underpinnings of normal personality traits.
- Allelic variations in functional gene expression, like 5-HTT, may represent susceptibility factors for affective disorders.
- Further genetic investigation is crucial for understanding the link between normal personality and psychiatric illness.