Temperamental activity and epidermal growth factor A61G polymorphism in Finnish adults.
OBJECTIVE
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has widespread effects on the developing and mature nervous system. This study examined whether genetic differences in the EGF predict differences in the self-reported level of activity temperament in adults.


METHODS
Two hundred and ninety-two men and women from the population-based Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study were genotyped for the functional EGF gene A61G polymorphisms, and their temperamental activity was assessed 3 times in 1992, 1997 and 2001.


RESULTS
The EGF gene predicted temperamental activity (the mean of 3 assessments, p = 0.007), with the G/G genotype being associated with the highest level of activity. Additional analyses in separate years indicated that the association was robust across different measurements of activity (p < or = 0.05 in 1992 and 1997, p = 0.008 in 2001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that polymorphic variation in the EGF A61 gene may be one of the factors underlying the temperament dimension of activity.
Puttonen
Sampsa
S
Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Keltikangas-Järvinen
Liisa
L
Elovainio
Marko
M
Kivimäki
Mika
M
Rontu
Riikka
R
Lehtimäki
Terho
T
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013694:Temperament
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor