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Published on: September 23, 2015
Association between serotonin transporter genotype and extraversion.
Seth J Gillihan1, Martha J Farah, Geena Mary V Sankoorikal
1Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-3403, Pennsylvania, USA.
Psychiatric Genetics
|December 14, 2007
Summary
The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) short allele (s/s) is linked to lower extraversion. This genetic variation explains a small portion of the variance in extraversion scores.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Extraversion is a key personality trait with known heritability.
- Identifying specific genes influencing extraversion has been challenging.
- The serotonin system is implicated in various behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the serotonin transporter promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism and extraversion.
- To determine if the 5-HTTLPR genotype influences self-rated extraversion levels.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in 183 Caucasian participants.
- Comparison of extraversion scores between individuals with the s/s genotype and those with at least one long allele (s/l, l/l).
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between the 5-HTTLPR s/s genotype and reduced self-rated extraversion (P=0.012).
- The presence or absence of the long allele at 5-HTTLPR accounted for 3.4% of the variance in extraversion.
Conclusions:
- The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with variations in extraversion.
- These findings support the role of the serotonergic system in behavioral traits like extraversion.
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