Association study of personality factors and the Asn40Asp polymorphism at the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1).
BACKGROUND
This study examined whether a functional polymorphism (A118G) in the gene encoding the mu-opioid receptor protein, which causes an Asn40Asp substitution in the receptor's extracellular domain, is associated with personality factors, as defined by the Five-Factor Model of Personality.


METHODS
Healthy subjects (n=446) and substance-dependent subjects (n=335) underwent a diagnostic interview, completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and provided a blood sample for genotyping. Controlling for demographic features and substance dependence diagnosis, analyses examined the allelic association of Asn40Asp with the five personality dimensions.


RESULTS
There was no evidence for allelic association with any of the five personality dimensions.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings fail to support the hypothesis that Asn40Asp alleles moderate the development of personality dimensions, as measured by the Five-Factor Model.
Hernandez-Avila
Carlos A
CA
Alcohol Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, USA.
Covault
Jonathan
J
Gelernter
Joel
J
Kranzler
Henry R
HR
D000328:Adult; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D001216:Asparagine / Q000235:genetics*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; C485764:OPRM1 protein, human; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D001216:Asparagine