Genome-wide association studies of impulsive personality traits (BIS-11 and UPPSP) and drug experimentation in up to 22,861 adult research participants identify loci in the CACNA1I and CADM2 genes

AbstractBackgroundImpulsive personality traits are complex heritable traits that are governed by frontal-subcortical circuits and are associated with numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly drug abuse.MethodsIn collaboration with the genetics company 23andMe, Inc., we performed several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on measures of impulsive personality traits (the short version of the UPPSP Impulsive Behavior Scale, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale [BIS-11]) and drug experimentation (the number of drug classes an individual has tried in their lifetime) in up to 22,861 male and female adult research participants of European ancestry.ResultsImpulsive personality traits and drug experimentation showed SNP-heritabilities that ranged from 5 to 11%. Genetic variants in the CADM2 locus were significantly associated with the UPPSP Sensation Seeking subscale (P = 8.3 × 10-9, rs139528938) and showed a suggestive association with drug experimentation (P = 3.0 × 10-7, rs2163971; r2 = 0.68 with rs139528938); CADM2 has been previously associated with measures of risky behaviors and self-reported risk tolerance, cannabis initiation, alcohol consumption, as well as information speed processing, body mass index (BMI) variation and obesity. Furthermore, genetic variants in the CACNA1I locus were significantly associated with the UPPSP Negative Urgency subscale (P = 3.8 × 10-8, rs199694726). Multiple subscales from both UPPSP and BIS showed strong genetic correlations (>0.5) with drug experimentation and other substance use traits measured in independent cohorts, including smoking initiation, and lifetime cannabis use. Several UPPSP and BIS subscales were genetically correlated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (rg = 0.30-0.51, p < 8.69 x 10-3), supporting their validity as endophenotypes.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate a role for common genetic contributions to individual differences in impulsivity. Furthermore, our study is the first to provide a genetic dissection of the relationship between different types of impulsive personality traits and various psychiatric disorders.

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Personality traits and polymorphisms of genes coding neurotransmitter receptors or transporters: review of single gene and genome-wide association studies

Annals of General Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12991-021-00328-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Szymon Zmorzyński ◽

Wojciech Styk ◽

Waldemar Klinkosz ◽

Justyna Iskra ◽

Agata Anna Filip

Keyword(s):

Personality Traits ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Association Studies ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Neurotransmitter Receptors ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background The most popular tool used for measuring personality traits is the Five-Factor Model (FFM). It includes neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Many studies indicated the association of genes encoding neurotransmitter receptors/transporters with personality traits. The relationship connecting polymorphic DNA sequences and FFM features has been described in the case of genes encoding receptors of cannabinoid and dopaminergic systems. Moreover, dopaminergic system receives inputs from other neurotransmitters, like GABAergic or serotoninergic systems. Methods We searched PubMed Central (PMC), Science Direct, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EBSCO databases from their inception to November 19, 2020, to identify original studies, as well as peer-reviewed studies examining the FFM and its association with gene polymorphisms affecting the neurotransmitter functions in central nervous system. Results Serotonin neurons modulate dopamine function. In gene encoding serotonin transporter protein, SLC6A4, was found polymorphism, which was correlated with openness to experience (in Sweden population), and high scores of neuroticism and low levels of agreeableness (in Caucasian population). The genome-wide association studies (GWASs) found an association of 5q34-q35, 3p24, 3q13 regions with higher scores of neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness. However, the results for chromosome 3 regions are inconsistent, which was shown in our review paper. Conclusions GWASs on polymorphisms are being continued in order to determine and further understand the relationship between the changes in DNA and personality traits.

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Molecular Trait Psychology

Using Basic Personality Research to Inform Personality Pathology ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190227074.003.0011 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 237-254

Author(s):

Turhan Canli

Keyword(s):

Molecular Biology ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Candidate Gene ◽

Genome Editing ◽

Association Studies ◽

Genome Wide Association ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Candidate Gene Studies

This chapter discusses the field of molecular psychology, which applies the tools of molecular biology (e.g., candidate gene studies, genome-wide association studies, optogenetics, genome editing) to the study of behavior and its underlying neural structures and functions. Specifically, the chapter reports on research that applies these tools to personality traits.

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