Serotonin receptor HTR1A and HTR2C variants and personality traits in suicide attempters and controls

J Psychiatr Res. 2009 Feb;43(5):519-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.06.005. Epub 2008 Aug 19.

Abstract

Introduction: Serotonin has been extensively studied in relation to both personality features and suicidal behaviours.

Objective: In this study, we considered the association between the serotonin receptor 1A (HTR1A) and 2C (HTR2C) SNPs and personality traits, as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), in a sample of suicide patients and healthy volunteers.

Methods: The SNPs considered were, for HTR1A rs1423691, rs878567 and rs6295, and for HTR2C rs547536, rs2192372, rs6318, rs2428707, rs4272555 and rs1801412. The sample was composed of three groups: two German samples, consisting of a healthy control group of 289 subjects (42.6% males, mean age: 45.2+/-14.9) and a psychiatric patient group of 111 suicide attempters (38.7% males, mean age: 39.2+/-13.6), and an Italian sample, composed of 64 mood disorder patients (35.9% males, mean age: 43.0+/-14.8). In the German samples all the SNPs were investigated, while in the Italian sample only the HTR1A rs6295 and the HTR2C rs6318 SNPs were considered.

Results: Controlling for sex, age and educational level, single markers and haplotypes were not or only marginally associated with personality dimensions.

Conclusions: Our study does not support the role of HTR1A and HTR2C gene variants on personality traits in both healthy volunteers and mood disorder patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / epidemiology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mood Disorders / genetics
  • Mood Disorders / psychology
  • Personality / genetics*
  • Personality Disorders / epidemiology
  • Personality Disorders / genetics*
  • Personality Disorders / psychology
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / genetics*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / genetics*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Temperament

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A