J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2009 May;34(3):205-13.

Influence of androgen receptor repeat polymorphisms on personality traits in men.

Westberg L¹, Henningsson S, Landén M, Annerbrink K, Melke J, Nilsson S, Rosmond R, Holm G, Anckarsäter H, Eriksson E.

Author information

¹Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg University, PO Box 431, SE 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden. lars.westberg@pharm.gu.se

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Testosterone has been attributed importance for various aspects of behaviour. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential influence of 2 functional polymorphisms in the amino terminal of the androgen receptor on personality traits in men.

METHODS:

We assessed and genotyped 141 men born in 1944 recruited from the general population. We used 2 different instruments: the Karolinska Scales of Personality and the Temperament and Character Inventory. For replication, we similarly assessed 63 men recruited from a forensic psychiatry study group.

RESULTS:

In the population-recruited sample, the lengths of the androgen receptor repeats were associated with neuroticism, extraversion and self-transcendence. The association with extraversion was replicated in the independent sample.

LIMITATIONS:

Our 2 samples differed in size; sample 1 was of moderate size and sample 2 was small. In addition, the homogeneity of sample 1 probably enhanced our ability to detect significant associations between genotype and phenotype.