Lack of association between a polymorphism in the promoter region of the dopamine D2 receptor and personality traits

Received 8 October 1999; received in revised form 11 September 2000; accepted 18 September 2000.

Abstract

Disturbances of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system have been associated with a personality trait that involves novelty seeking. A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) has been reported to be associated with schizophrenia. We examined the association between this polymorphism in the DRD2 promoter region and personality traits, as assessed with the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. No significant association emerged between the polymorphism in the DRD2 promoter region and personality traits. Entering sex and age as covariates in an analysis of covariance did not change the results. These data fail to confirm an association between a polymorphism in the promoter region of the DRD2 and personality traits.

Keywords: Association Study, Allele, Dopamine, Genotype, Novelty seeking, Polymorphism, Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire

a Department of Neuropsychiatry, Oita Medical University, Hasama-Machi, Oita 879-5593, Japan

b Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305, Japan

Corresponding author. Tel.: +81-975-86-5823; fax: +81-975-49-3583

PII: S0165-1781(01)00331-6

13 of 16