Serotonin transporter promoter gene polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and personality in female patients with seasonal affective disorder and in healthy controls.
Serotonergic pathways have been related to altered personality patterns in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The short allele (s) of a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter promoter gene (5-HTTLPR) has been associated with neuroticism and anxiety-related personality traits in healthy volunteers. We investigated personality and 5-HTTLPR in female SAD patients using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). TCI was completed by 56 female patients and 76 age-matched female controls. DNA was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction methods. Subjects homozygous for the long allele (l) were compared to s carriers. Females with SAD had higher scores in Harm Avoidance and lower scores in Novelty Seeking, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness when compared to controls. Patients carrying the s allele had lower Self-Directedness scores. Our data indicate that females with SAD show altered personality traits. The s allele was associated with lower Self-Directedness scores in SAD patients, whereas there were no significant differences in TCI dimensions between patients and controls in carriers of the long allele.
Thierry
Nikolaus
N
Department of General Psychiatry, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. nikolaus.thierry@akh-wien.ac.at
Willeit
Matthäus
M
Praschak-Rieder
Nicole
N
Zill
Peter
P
Hornik
Kurt
K
Neumeister
Alexander
A
Lenzinger
Elisabeth
E
Stastny
Jürgen
J
Hilger
Eva
E
Konstantinidis
Anastasios
A
Aschauer
Harald
H
Ackenheil
Manfred
M
Bondy
Brigitta
B
Kasper
Siegfried
S
D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D010556:Personality Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins