Impulsive-disinhibited personality and serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms: association study in an inmate's sample

J Psychiatr Res. 2009 Jul;43(10):906-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.11.008. Epub 2009 Jan 3.

Abstract

The association between different impulsive-disinhibited personality traits with 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR genetic polymorphisms was examined in an imprisoned male sample. Higher scores of the impulsive-disinhibited personality traits tended to be associated with carrying one or two copies of the 5-HTTPLR S allele (S/S homozygous and S/L heterozygous), and carrying two copies of the 5-HTTVNTR 12 allele (12/12 homozygous). Genotype, allele, haplotype and extended genotype distribution between low and high impulsive-disinhibited groups confirmed this association. Allele S and genotypes S/S+S/L at the 5-HTTLPR locus and allele 12 and genotype 12/12 at the 5-HTTVNTR locus were overrepresented in the high scoring group. Accordingly, allele S and allele 12 conferred a trend for risk to be in the high scoring group with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.8 (p < 0.035) and 1.7 (p < 0.014), respectively. In addition, extended genotype distribution shows that those S allele carriers (S/S homozygote and S/L heterozygote) that were also 12/12 homozygote, were overrepresented in the high scoring group (OR = 3.2; p < 0.004). The main risk of being in the high scoring group was assigned to those carrying two copies of the S-12 haplotype (OR = 5.7; p < 0.0007). We discuss the possible relationship between the two genetic serotonin polymorphisms and the personality impulsive-disinhibited traits investigated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / genetics*
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology*
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Male
  • Minisatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Personality / genetics*
  • Personality Assessment
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Prisoners
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins