Association between a promoter dopamine D2 receptor gene variant and the personality trait detachment

• Published in: Biological psychiatry (1969) Vol. 53; no. 7; pp. 577 - 584
• Main Authors: Jönsson, Erik G, Cichon, Sven, Gustavsson, J.Petter, Grünhage, Frank, Forslund, Kaj, Mattila-Evenden, Marja, Rylander, Gunnar, Åsberg, Marie, Farde, Lars, Propping, Peter, Nöthen, Markus M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Science 01.04.2003
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic technics applied to diagnosis; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Personality Assessment; Personality Disorders - genetics; Personality. Affectivity; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychometrics; Receptors, Dopamine D2 - genetics; Sweden; Tomography, Emission-Computed; Sweden; Human; Statistical analysis; Questionnaire; D2 Dopamine receptor; Gene; Transcription promoter; Exploration; Genotype; Genetics; Psychometrics; Personality; Karolinska Hospital Personality Inventory
• ISSN: 0006-3223; 1873-2402
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3223(02)01732-8

Personality traits have shown considerable heritable components. Striatal dopamine D(2) receptor density, as determined by positron-emission tomography, has been associated with detached personality, as assessed by the Karolinska Scales of Personality. A putative functional promoter polymorphism in the dopamine D(2) receptor gene (DRD2), -141C ins/del, has been associated with dopamine D(2) receptor density. In this study healthy subjects (n = 235) who filled in at least one of several personality questionnaires (Karolinska Scales of Personality, Swedish Universities Scales of Personality, Health-relevant Five-factor Personality Inventory, and Temperament and Character Inventory) were analyzed with regard to the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant. There was an association (p =.001) between the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant and Karolinska Scales of Personality Detachment scale, indicating higher scores in subjects with the -141C del variant. There were also associations between the DRD2 -141C ins/del variant and a number of Karolinska Scales of Personality and Swedish Universities Scales of Personality Neuroticism-related scales, but of these only Swedish Universities Scales of Personality Lack of Assertiveness scale (p =.001) survived correction for multiple testing. These results add further support for the involvement of dopamine D(2) receptor in certain personality traits. The results should be treated with caution until replicated.