Genetic variants implicated in personality: a review of the more promising candidates.
Alleles of the serotonin transporter gene (SERT) and the dopamine 4 receptor gene (DRD4) were first associated with anxiety-related and novelty-seeking personality traits, respectively, in 1996. These early successes precipitated a flood of research into the genetic basis of personality; a quest that has yet to yield decisive answers. Here, both the theoretical and the empirical evidence implicating specific loci-in particular SERT and DRD4-in the development of personality is evaluated. Despite a paucity of statistically significant results following post-hoc analysis, and an excess of positive results derived from studies with small sample sizes, the existence of a genuine effect is argued for: a gene-personality relationship rendered periodically latent through genetic epistasis, gene-environment interactions, variation in genetic background, and the presence of other confounding variables.
Savitz
Jonathan B
JB
MRC/UCT Human Genetics Research Unit, Divison of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. js@cormack.uct.ac.za
Ramesar
Rajkumar S
RS
D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
C493599:DRD4 protein, human; 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; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4