title: The association between 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese toddlers.
abstract: As one of the fundamental individual characteristics, behavioral inhibition in early childhood has considerable implications for the development of social, cognitive, and psychological adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese children using a cross-sectional design. A sample of 263 2-year-old children (134 boys and 129 girls of Han ethnicity; ages ranging from 24 to 26 months) in China participated in the study. Behavioral inhibition was assessed through laboratory observations, and genomic DNA was collected with buccal swabs. The results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that the homozygous short 5-HTTLPR allele was associated with lower levels of behavioral inhibition, which was different from most of the findings based on individuals in Western countries. The results suggest that social and cultural factors may be involved in shaping links between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and children's specific behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Applied Psychology-Human Dev, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Xinyin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Guangzhen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zongbao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Minghao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Niobe
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Way
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Zuhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Huihua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D002652:Child Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: 5-HTTLPR polymorphism; Chinese children; behavioral inhibition