An update on molecular genetic studies of human personality traits.
Personality is a complex phenotype and people differ considerably when they are evaluated by self-report questionnaires. There is convincing evidence from twin studies that basic personality dimensions in men and women have a considerable genetic component. However, only recently have common genetic polymorphisms been associated with particular personality traits, especially the dopamine D4 receptor with novelty seeking and the serotonin transporter with anxiety-related traits or neuroticism. The current review examines progress in the past few years in molecular personality genetics and focuses on the reasons for difficulties in replicating first findings as well as the prospects for future studies in this area. The molecular genetic structure of human personality is worth studying both for its intrinsic interest in helping us to understand individual differences in human behaviour and the light it will shed on more complex behavioural disorders that are likely to partially share some common genetic variants.
Ebstein
Richard P
RP
S Herzog Memorial Hospital and Psychology Department, Scheinfeld Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. ebstein@netvision.net.il
Zohar
Ada H
AH
Benjamin
Jonathan
J
Belmaker
Robert H
RH
D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / Q000235:genetics; D019295:Computational Biology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D010556:Personality Tests; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C493599:DRD4 protein, human; C493600:Drd4 protein, mouse; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C493231:Slc6a4 protein, mouse; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4