title: Exploring the relationship between vitamin D and basic personality traits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies suggest an association between hypovitaminosis D and basic and executive cognitive functions, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. A recent study confirms neophobic responses in vitamin D receptor mutant mice. We explored whether the plasma levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), the active form of vitamin D, are correlated with basic personality traits.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 206 healthy unrelated volunteers (108 male, 98 female, age 31 ± 13 years) completed the German version of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), which allows reliable and valid assessment of personality along the dimensions neuroticism, extraversion, openness to new experiences, agreeableness and conscientiousness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significant correlation between 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentration and the factor extraversion (n = 206, r = 0.202, p = 0.004) and the factor openness (n = 206, r = 0.148, p = 0.034).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possible mechanisms by which 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) acts on the brain might include Ca(2+) signaling, buffering antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory defenses against vascular injury, stimulating neurotrophins and improving metabolic and cardiovascular function. In conclusion, we suggest that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) might influence personality traits, promoting extrovert and open behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Gmelinstr. 5, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ubbenhorst
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Striebich
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Undine E
authors.initials: UE
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D002117:Calcitriol