[The serotonin transporter gene and personality: association of the 5-HTTLPR s allele, anxiety, depression and affective temperaments].
The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism plays a key role in the background of affective disorders and the neuroticism trait as well. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of the 5-HTTLPR and such components of the neuroticism trait as depression, anxiety and affective lability in a psychiatrically healthy population. The participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and the TEMPS-A questionnaire. 5-HTTLPR genotype was established using PCR. Test scores were compared using ANOVA. Subjects carrying the s allele had a significantly higher score on the ZSDS, on the state anxiety scale of the STAI and on those affective temperament scales which carry a depressive component. Our results indicate that components of the neuroticism trait are also independently associated with 5-HTTLPR suggesting that it is a unified and solid construct. Our results point to the importance of future research aimed at delineating the genetic background of personality traits observable in the healthy population, as these can serve as endophenotypes for neuropsychiatric disorders and can play a crucial role in future research.
Gonda
Xénia
X
Semmelweis Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar Farmakológiai és Farmakoterápiás Intézet Budapest, Hungary. kendermagos@yahoo.com
D000339:Affect; D000483:Alleles; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000235:genetics*; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins