title: Polymorphism in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene is associated with activity-impulsivity in German Shepherd Dogs.
abstract: We investigated the association between repeat polymorphism in intron 4 of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and two personality traits, activity-impulsivity and inattention, in German Shepherd Dogs. The behaviour of 104 dogs was characterized by two instruments: (1) the previously validated Dog-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (Dog-ADHD RS) filled in by the dog owners and (2) the newly developed Activity-impulsivity Behavioural Scale (AIBS) containing four subtests, scored by the experimenters. Internal consistency, inter-observer reliability, test-retest reliability and convergent validity were demonstrated for AIBS. Dogs possessing at least one short allele were proved to be more active-impulsive by both instruments, compared to dogs carrying two copies of the long allele (activity-impulsivity scale of Dog-ADHD RS: p = 0.007; AIBS: p = 0.023). The results have some potential to support human studies; however, further research should reveal the molecular function of the TH gene variants, and look for the effect in more breeds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. kubinyie@gmail.com
authors.forename: Eniko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kubinyi
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vas
authors.forename: Krisztina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hejjas
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ronai
authors.forename: Ildikó
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brúder
authors.forename: Borbála
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turcsán
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasvari-Szekely
authors.forename: Adám
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miklósi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D056726:Genetic Association Studies / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010067:Ownership; D057805:Pets; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase