The association between personality, pain threshold and a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3813034) in the 3′-untranslated region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4)

• Published in: Journal of clinical neuroscience Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 574 - 578
• Main Authors: Aoki, Jun, Ikeda, Kazutaka, Murayama, Ohoshi, Yoshihara, Eiji, Ogai, Yasukazu, Iwahashi, Kazuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Alleles; Analysis of Variance; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - genetics; Cold Temperature; Female; Gene Frequency; Gene polymorphism; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Pain; Pain Measurement; Pain Threshold - physiology; Patient Selection; Personality; Personality - genetics; Personality Assessment; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics; Serotonin transporter 3′ untranslated region (5-HTT 3′ UTR); Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI); Untranslated Regions - genetics; Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI); Personality; Pain; Serotonin transporter 3′ untranslated region (5-HTT 3′ UTR); Gene polymorphism
• ISSN: 0967-5868; 1532-2653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2009.08.020

Abstract In 181 healthy Japanese volunteers we examined the relationship between personality, sensitivity to pain and a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3813034) in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene (SLC6A4). Pain sensitivity was assessed by using cold and pressure thresholds. Personality was assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Males without the T allele ( G / G ) showed a significantly higher spiritual acceptance (ST3) score than those who had the T allele ( T / T and T / G ). Females with the T allele ( T / T and T / G ) showed significantly higher transpersonal identification (ST2) and self-transcendence (ST) scores than those without the T allele ( G / G ). As for pain sensitivity and its relationship with TCI, we found a low negative correlation between cold water stimulation, disorderliness (NS4) and novelty seeking (NS) in males, whereas in females we found a low positive correlation between cold water stimulation, self-acceptance (SD4) and pure-hearted principles (C5), as well as pressure stimulation and SD4. It is possible that the 5-HTT 3′ UTR gene polymorphism affects the character dimensions of Cloniger’s theory, and that there might be a low correlation between pain and a part of the personality.