TY - JOUR

T1 - Serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) variation and sensory processing sensitivity—Comparison with other anxiety-related temperamental dimensions

AU - Licht, Cecilie L.

AU - Mortensen, Erik L.

AU - Hjordt, Liv V.

AU - Stenbæk, Dea S.

AU - Arentzen, Tine E.

AU - Nørremølle, Anne

AU - Knudsen, Gitte M.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Background: The short (s) allele of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in the promoter region of the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene SLC6A4 has previously been associated with anxiety-related personality dimensions. However, this relationship has not been confirmed in all studies and may be modified by environmental circumstances and/or psychiatric illness. This study examined whether the temperamental trait sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), characterized by increased responsivity to environmental stimuli, is related to 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotype. Methods: 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 genotypes, level of SPS, self-reported Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) personality profiles, and symptoms of psychological distress (SCL-90R Global Severity Index) were determined for 405 healthy volunteers. Results: Sensory processing sensitivity was highly correlated with the anxiety-related dimensions of the NEO-PI-R and the TCI models of personality, Neuroticism, and Harm Avoidance, respectively. However, the level of SPS was not associated with the combined 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 s′/s′ genotype. Neuroticism and Harm Avoidance were also not associated with 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 s′/s′ genotype. Correcting for symptoms of psychological distress had no effect on the relationships between personality and genotype. Conclusion: The level of SPS was not associated with serotonin transporter gene variation. Further, combined 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 genotype was not associated with other anxiety-related dimensions.

AB - Background: The short (s) allele of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in the promoter region of the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene SLC6A4 has previously been associated with anxiety-related personality dimensions. However, this relationship has not been confirmed in all studies and may be modified by environmental circumstances and/or psychiatric illness. This study examined whether the temperamental trait sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), characterized by increased responsivity to environmental stimuli, is related to 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 genotype. Methods: 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 genotypes, level of SPS, self-reported Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) personality profiles, and symptoms of psychological distress (SCL-90R Global Severity Index) were determined for 405 healthy volunteers. Results: Sensory processing sensitivity was highly correlated with the anxiety-related dimensions of the NEO-PI-R and the TCI models of personality, Neuroticism, and Harm Avoidance, respectively. However, the level of SPS was not associated with the combined 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 s′/s′ genotype. Neuroticism and Harm Avoidance were also not associated with 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 s′/s′ genotype. Correcting for symptoms of psychological distress had no effect on the relationships between personality and genotype. Conclusion: The level of SPS was not associated with serotonin transporter gene variation. Further, combined 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 genotype was not associated with other anxiety-related dimensions.

KW - Harm Avoidance

KW - Neuroticism

KW - personality

KW - serotonin

KW - temperament

U2 - 10.1002/mgg3.1352

DO - 10.1002/mgg3.1352

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32543106

AN - SCOPUS:85086433690

VL - 8

JO - Molecular genetics & genomic medicine

JF - Molecular genetics & genomic medicine

SN - 2324-9269

IS - 8

M1 - e1352

ER -