Association between a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism of the estrogen receptor alpha gene and personality traits in women.
Journal article, 2003
Estrogens are known to play a key role in the regulation of various aspects of behavior. In order to study the potential contribution of genetic variation in the estrogen receptor (ER) alpha to specific personality traits, we investigated a repeat polymorphism in the ER alpha gene in 172 42-year-old women who had been assessed using the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). Based on the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the length of a repeat polymorphism and gene function,(1) the alleles were divided into two groups: short and long. In order to elucidate the possible influence of the ER alpha gene on the different aspects of personality measured by means of the KSP, the possible association between this gene and four different factors ('neuroticism', 'psychoticism', 'non-conformity', and 'extraversion') was analysed. 'Neuroticism', 'psychoticism', and 'non-conformity' all appeared to be associated with the ER alpha gene. After correction for multiple comparisons by means of permutation analysis, the associations with the factor 'non-conformity'--including the subscales 'indirect aggression' and 'irritability'--and the factor 'psychoticism'--including the subscale 'suspicion'--remained significant. The results suggest that the studied dinucleotide repeat polymorphism of the ER alpha gene may contribute to specific components of personality.
Polymorphism
Estrogen Receptor alpha
Receptors
physiology
physiology
genetics
Irritable Mood
genetics
Adult
genetics
Estrogen
Anxiety
Female
Neurotic Disorders
Dinucleotide Repeats
Humans
Personality
Genetic
Aggression
genetics
Author
Lars Westberg
University of Gothenburg
Jonas Melke
University of Gothenburg
Mikael Landén
University of Gothenburg
Staffan Nilsson
University of Gothenburg
Chalmers, Department of Mathematical Statistics
Fariba Baghaei
University of Gothenburg
Roland Rosmond
University of Gothenburg
M Jansson
University of Gothenburg
Göran Holm
University of Gothenburg
Per Björntorp
University of Gothenburg
Elias Eriksson
University of Gothenburg
Molecular Psychiatry
1359-4184 (ISSN) 1476-5578 (eISSN)
Vol. 8 1 118-22Subject Categories
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
DOI
10.1038/sj.mp.4001192
PubMed
12556917