Variants of the serotonin transporter gene and NEO-PI-R Neuroticism: No association in the BLSA and SardiNIA samples.
The polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) is by far the most studied variant hypothesized to influence Neuroticism-related personality traits. The results of previous studies have been mixed and appear moderated by the personality questionnaire used. Studies that used the TCI to assess Harm Avoidance or the EPQ to assess Neuroticism have found no association with the 5-HTTLPR. However, studies that used the NEO-PI-R or related instruments (NEO-PI, NEO-FFI) to measure Neuroticism have found some evidence of association. This study examines the association of variants in the serotonin transporter gene in a sample from a genetically isolated population within Sardinia (Italy) that is several times larger than previous samples that used the NEO-PI-R (N = 3,913). The association was also tested in a sample (N = 548) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), in which repeated NEO-PI-R assessments were obtained. In the SardiNIA sample, we found no significant association of the 5-HTTLPR genotypes with Neuroticism or its facets (Anxiety, Angry-Hostility, Depression, Self-Consciousness, Impulsiveness, and Vulnerability). In the BLSA sample, we found lower scores on Neuroticism traits for the heterozygous group, which is inconsistent with previous studies. We also examined eight SNPs in the SardiNIA (N = 3,972) and nine SNPs in the BLSA (N = 1,182) that map within or near the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), and found no association. Along with other large studies that used different phenotypic measures and found no association, this study substantially increases the evidence against a link between 5-HTT variants and Neuroticism-related traits.
Terracciano
Antonio
A
National Institute on Aging, NIH, DHHS, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. terraccianoa@mail.nih.gov
Balaci
Lenuta
L
Thayer
Jason
J
Scally
Matthew
M
Kokinos
Sarah
S
Ferrucci
Luigi
L
Tanaka
Toshiko
T
Zonderman
Alan B
AB
Sanna
Serena
S
Olla
Nazario
N
Zuncheddu
Maria Antonietta
MA
Naitza
Silvia
S
Busonero
Fabio
F
Uda
Manuela
M
Schlessinger
David
D
Abecasis
Gonçalo R
GR
Costa
Paul T
PT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins