Research article2009Peer reviewed
Personality and the serotonin transporter gene: Associations in a longitudinal population-based study.
Harro J, Merenäkk L, Nordquist N, Konstabel K, Comasco E, Oreland L
Abstract
Associations between the promoter polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and anxiety-related personality traits in healthy adult subjects have been inconsistent. We assessed personality in participants of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study, using parental reports and self-reports. In the younger cohort, according to parental assessments at ages 9 and 15, children homozygous for the S allele had significantly higher scores of Neuroticism and lower scores of Openness, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. Parental assessment of the older cohort at ages 15 and 18 did not yield any genotype effect on personality; however, interaction of cohort and genotype was not significant. According to self-reports, SS homozygotes had higher Neuroticism at age 15 but not at age 18. Thus, homozygocity for the S allele of the 5-HTTLPR is related to anxiety-related personality traits in general population, but this is easier to detect before adolescence.
Published in
Biological Psychology
2009, Volume: 81, number: 1, pages: 9-13
UKÄ Subject classification
Psychology
Medical Genetics
Neurosciences
Publication identifier
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.01.001
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/38718