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No association between 5-HTTLPR and harm avoidance in Korean college students
Yeon Ho Joo1, Heung Bum Oh, Byungsu Kim
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|February 14, 2007
Summary
The serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) was not associated with personality traits like harm avoidance in Korean college students. Further cross-cultural research with larger samples is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) is frequently studied for its association with personality traits.
- Previous research on 5-HTTLPR and anxiety-related traits has yielded conflicting results.
- Understanding genetic influences on personality is crucial for psychiatric research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and personality dimensions, specifically harm avoidance.
- To examine potential sex differences in this association within a Korean population.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 158 Korean college students was recruited.
- The Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (K-TCI) was administered to assess personality traits.
- Genotyping for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was performed.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between 5-HTTLPR genotype and harm avoidance or other TCI measures.
- No significant sex-specific associations were identified.
Conclusions:
- The 5-HTTLPR genotype does not appear to be associated with harm avoidance or other measured personality traits in this Korean sample.
- Given ethnic variations in allele frequencies, larger, cross-cultural studies are necessary to clarify the role of 5-HTTLPR in personality traits.
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