Allelic variants of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) and serotonin receptor 5HT2c (HTR2c) and temperament factors: replication tests

Am J Med Genet. 1999 Apr 16;88(2):168-72.

Abstract

The contribution of genetic factors to personality differences between individuals is evidenced by twin and adoption studies. Ebstein et al. [1996, 1997a, 1997b] reported an association between the long repeat allele of the dopamine D4-exon-III receptor polymorphism and the human personality dimension novelty seeking (NS), between the 5HT2c-ser-23 allele and reward dependence, and an interaction between both receptor polymorphisms and reward dependence. Subsequent replication tests mainly reported controversial results for the association between DRD4-exon-III long repeat and NS. We examined a homogeneous study population of 190 healthy male students of middle European descent, aged between 20 and 30 years using Cloninger's TPQ in order to replicate Ebstein's findings. Using a significance level of 1%, no association between the long repeat of the DRD4-exon-III polymorphism and NS and between the 5HT2c receptor polymorphism and reward dependence was found, but a significant interaction effect of DRD4 and 5HT2c receptor polymorphisms on reward dependence was observed in accordance to Ebstein's report.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Exploratory Behavior
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personality Tests
  • Personality*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics*
  • Reward

Substances

  • DRD4 protein, human
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4