Association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-related psychopathology and personality traits with the serotonin transporter promoter region polymorphism.
The role of the genetic polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is under discussion as a modulator for personality traits and a risk factor for several mental disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here we report a significant association of this polymorphism with scores on the Wender Utah Rating Scale, which was used for the assessment of a history of ADHD-associated symptoms, indicating a higher frequency of the long variant allele in individuals with high scores. We found no association between the 5-HTT polymorphism and personality traits according to the Eysenck Impulsivity Questionnaire and the Freiburg Personality Inventory, respectively, except a significant association with social orientation. Thus, our study supports the recently reported finding of an association of the 5-HTT polymorphism with ADHD. However, since a dimensional assessment of ADHD-related symptomatology was used in our study instead of a diagnostic approach, we are now on the way in performing further studies regarding diagnostic discrimination and comorbidity.
Retz
Wolfgang
W
Institute for Forensic Psychiatry, University of the Saarland, Kirrberger Strasse, 66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. wolfgang.retz@med.rz.uni-saarland.de
Thome
Johannes
J
Blocher
Detlev
D
Baader
Miriam
M
Rösler
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011599:Psychopathology; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012919:Social Behavior
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins