Personality and polymorphisms of genes involved in aminergic neurotransmission

Genetic factors significantly contribute to the determination of human personality traits assessed by self-report questionnaires. However, only in the past few years have common genetic polymorphisms especially the dopamine D4 receptor and the serotonin transporter promoter region been associated with specific personality traits such as novelty seeking and harm avoidance, respectively. The effects of these genes are modest and several genes are likely accounting for individual differences in personality dimensions that can be attributed to genetic factors. Molecular genetic studies of adult personality have also been extended to investigations of early human temperament and some of the genes associated with adult personality traits are also contributing to the earliest developmental expressions of human behavior. Additionally, some of these same genes have also been implicated in various types of abnormal behavior including addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit, depression, aggression and psychosis. Future research directions will no doubt take advantage of the bioinformatics revolution coinciding with the completion of the first phase of the human genome project. It should soon be possible to identify many of the genes contributing to specific personality traits and to better define their role in determining normal and abnormal behavior from early development through adulthood.