Association between a promoter dopamine D2 receptor gene variant and the personality trait detachment.
BACKGROUND
Personality traits have shown considerable heritable components. Striatal dopamine D(2) receptor density, as determined by positron-emission tomography, has been associated with detached personality, as assessed by the Karolinska Scales of Personality. A putative functional promoter polymorphism in the dopamine D(2) receptor gene (DRD2), -141C ins/del, has been associated with dopamine D(2) receptor density.


METHODS
In this study healthy subjects (n = 235) who filled in at least one of several personality questionnaires (Karolinska Scales of Personality, Swedish Universities Scales of Personality, Health-relevant Five-factor Personality Inventory, and Temperament and Character Inventory) were analyzed with regard to the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant.


RESULTS
There was an association (p =.001) between the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant and Karolinska Scales of Personality Detachment scale, indicating higher scores in subjects with the -141C del variant. There were also associations between the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant and a number of Karolinska Scales of Personality and Swedish Universities Scales of Personality Neuroticism-related scales, but of these only Swedish Universities Scales of Personality Lack of Assertiveness scale (p =.001) survived correction for multiple testing.


CONCLUSIONS
These results add further support for the involvement of dopamine D(2) receptor in certain personality traits. The results should be treated with caution until replicated.
Jönsson
Erik G
EG
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, HUBIN project, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Cichon
Sven
S
Gustavsson
J Petter
JP
Grünhage
Frank
F
Forslund
Kaj
K
Mattila-Evenden
Marja
M
Rylander
Gunnar
G
Asberg
Marie
M
Farde
Lars
L
Propping
Peter
P
Nöthen
Markus M
MM
D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D013548:Sweden; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2