Genetic modulation of personality traits

Abstract

The heritability of human personality traits is by now well established. However, since the first reports on associations between specific genetic variants and personality traits, only modest progress has been made in identifying loci that robustly support these associations. The aim of this study was to provide a summary of literature data on association studies focused on the genetic modulation of personality, according to the Cloninger, Eysenck and Costa and McCrae models. PubMed was searched for papers investigating the association between any gene variant and personality traits, which were grouped into five clusters: (a) anxiety, (b) impulsivity, (c) determination-activity, (d) socialization and (e) spirituality, in healthy individuals, populations and psychiatric patients. A total of 369 studies were included. No clear consensus on the role of any individual gene variant in personality modulation emerged, although SLC6A4 haplotypes and the DRD4 rs1800955 promoter variant seemed to be more reliably related to anxiety and impulsivity-related traits, respectively. Because conflicting results emerged from the literature, plausibly as a result of the combined influence of many loci of small effects on personality, larger sample sizes and more narrow and specific phenotype will be the minimum requirements for future genetic studies on personality. Moreover, gene × gene and gene × environment interaction studies deserve further attention.

A pharmacogenetic analysis of dopaminergic and opioidergic genes in opioid addicts treated with the combination of naltrexone and guanfacine

“…Имеется существенное влияние локуса DRD4 521 (rs1800955), находящегося в промотерной области ге-на и, возможно, изменяющего его экспрессию, на нейрофизиологические корреляты негативной реак-ции при ошибочных решениях у человека [22] и зна-чительная связь с генетическим контролем черт лич-ности, особенно импульсивностью [23]. Локус DRD4 521 связывают с риском развития опиоидной зависи-мости [24].…”

Genetic aspects of binge eating disorder Part 2. Molecular genetics and pharmacogenetic approaches

“…Однако соответствующие результа-ты носят предварительный характер [31]. Как правило, фармакотерапия используется в комплексе с психотера-пией и психологическим консультированием, и в целом их комбинации более эффективна, чем только фармако-терапия [55], причем есть точка зрения [56], что эффект психотерапии также контролируется генетически через влияние на черты личности. Важно отметить, что проце-дуры и мероприятия по снижению веса для пациентов с расстройствами пищевого поведения гораздо более болез-ненны и сопровождаются значительными эмоциональ-ными сдвигами, чем для здоровых, при этом вклад генети-ческих факторов в результативность процедур по сниже-нию веса небольшой (20-25%) и одинаков для пациентов и здоровых [57].…”

Temperament and Character Inventory in Bipolar Disorder versus Healthy Controls and Modulatory Effects of 3 Key Functional Gene Variants

“…On the other hand, BDNF genetic variants seem to modulate temperamental traits early in life [29] and to interact with environmental factors in modulating temperamental traits in adulthood [30], in particular RD [31] and HA [32], although conflicting results exist [26]. Finally, 5-HTT gene and its functional polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR are among the most studied genetic components of environmental reactivity [27], including gene × environment interactions [33], which have been hypothesized to modulate stable traits, such as personality and temperamental traits [26, 34]. Concerning TCI in particular, the s allele of 5-HTTLPR has been associated with lower NS scores in the presence of early positive life events [26].…”

“…Some of them have been identified in the last years, both by candidate gene studies (e.g., [22]) and genome-wide association studies (e.g., [21, 23]), although controversial and sometime contrasting results exist in literature (e.g., [24]). Among the several candidate genes identified so far, the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), variants within the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the solute carrier family 6 member 4 (serotonin transporter – 5-HTT) genes have been repeatedly demonstrated to modulate temperamental and personality traits [25, 26], likely interacting with environmental stimuli [27]. Concerning temperament in particular, COMT gene variants have been associated with NS/extraversion and with HA/neuroticism, although results are still controversial [28].…”

“…Finally, 5-HTT gene and its functional polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR are among the most studied genetic components of environmental reactivity [27], including gene × environment interactions [33], which have been hypothesized to modulate stable traits, such as personality and temperamental traits [26, 34]. Concerning TCI in particular, the s allele of 5-HTTLPR has been associated with lower NS scores in the presence of early positive life events [26]. However, the effects of these variants on temperament and character features in general and clinical populations are still to be elucidated in detail.…”