Allelic variation in 5-HT1A receptor expression is associated with anxiety- and depression-related personality traits.
The 5-HT1A receptor plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression as well as in the mode of action of anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs. Human 5-HT1A gene transcription is modulated by a common C-1016G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in its upstream regulatory region. In the present study, we evaluated the role of the HTR1A-1019 polymorphism in the modulation of individual differences in personality traits by an association study of a sample of healthy volunteers. Personality traits were assessed with two different methods, NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) and Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). There was a significant effect of the HTR1A-1019 polymorphism on NEO Neuroticism with carriers of the G allele showing higher scores than individuals homozygous for the C variant. The effect was primarily due to associations with the Neuroticism facets Anxiety and Depression. Carriers of the G allele also exhibited higher TPQ Harm Avoidance scores. Our findings indicate a role of allelic variation in 5-HT1A receptor expression in the development and modulation of anxiety- and depression-related personality traits.
Strobel
A
A
Differential and Personality Psychology, Institute of Psychology II, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Gutknecht
L
L
Rothe
C
C
Reif
A
A
Mössner
R
R
Zeng
Y
Y
Brocke
B
B
Lesch
K-P
KP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics*; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics*
D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A