| 1. |
- Westberg, Lars, 1973, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of androgen receptor repeat polymorphisms on personality traits in men
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. - 1488-2434 .- 1180-4882. ; 34:3, s. 205-213
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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. Conclusion Our results suggest that the repeat polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene may influence personality traits in men.
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| 2. |
- Henningsson, Susanne, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Association between serum levels of C-reactive protein and personality traits in women.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Behavioral and brain functions : BBF. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1744-9081. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: While low-grade inflammation has consistently been observed in subjects with depression, studies on the possible relationship between inflammation and other aspects of brain function are as yet sparse. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between serum levels of the inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and personality traits. METHODS: In this study, serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP were determined by ELISA in a population of 270 42-year-old women recruited from the population registry who had been assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory. Self-reported previous or ongoing depression was also recorded. Unpaired two-tailed t-tests were used for comparison between two groups and correlations were evaluated by the calculation of Pearson's r-coefficient. RESULTS: The temperament trait harm avoidance was positively (r = 0.227, p < 0.05) and the character trait self-directedness was negatively (r = -0.261, p < 0.01) associated with serum levels of CRP (p-values corrected for multiple comparisons). The correlations between the personality traits and CRP were observed also after exclusion of subjects reporting ongoing depression (n = 26). Whereas women reporting ongoing depression showed significantly increased levels of CRP as compared to non-depressed women (n = 155), women reporting a history of depression displayed no significant difference in CRP levels as compared to women that reported that they had never been depressed. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of CRP in women was found to be associated with the personality traits harm avoidance and self-directedness. In addition, moderately elevated levels may be a state dependent marker of depression.
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| 3. |
- Melke, Jonas, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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A polymorphism in the serotonin receptor 3A (HTR3A) gene and its association with harm avoidance in women.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Archives of general psychiatry. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0003-990X. ; 60:10, s. 1017-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The brain neurotransmitter serotonin is known to affect various aspects of human behavior, including personality traits. Serotonin receptor type 3 is a ligand-gated channel encoded by 2 different subunit genes, HTR3A and HTR3B. A polymorphism (C178T) in the 5' region of the HTR3A gene has recently been identified and suggested to be of functional importance. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the possible association between the C178T polymorphism in the HTR3A gene and personality traits in women. DESIGN: Two independent samples of 35- to 45-year-old Swedish women were recruited using the population register. Sample 1 (n = 195) was assessed via the Karolinska Scales of Personality and the Temperament and Character Inventory; sample 2 (n = 175) was assessed using the latter only. Both samples were genotyped with respect to the C178T polymorphism in the HTR3A gene. The A1596G polymorphism in the same gene was also investigated. RESULTS: A significant association between C178T genotype and the Temperament and Character Inventory factor harm avoidance was observed in sample 1 (corrected for multiple comparisons P =.04); this finding was subsequently replicated in sample 2 (P =.004) (pooled populations: P<.001). In the pooled sample, all harm avoidance subscales were found to be significantly associated with the C178T polymorphism: anticipatory worry (P =.001), fear of uncertainty (P<.001), shyness (P<.001), and fatigability and asthenia (P =.008). In addition, a significant association was found in sample 1 between the C178T polymorphism and the Karolinska Scales of Personality nonconformity factor (corrected P =.002), including the subscales of social desirability (P<.001), indirect aggression (P =.002), verbal aggression (P =.05), and irritability (P<.001). Participants homozygous for the less common T allele (<4%) differed from the remaining women by displaying lower ratings on harm avoidance and nonconformity. CONCLUSION: The C178T polymorphism in the HTR3A gene may affect the personality trait of harm avoidance in women.
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| 4. |
- Baghaei, Fariba, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of women in relation to personality traits.
- 2003
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Ingår i: International journal of behavioral medicine. - 1070-5503. ; 10:4, s. 365-78
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The associations were examined in women between personality traits and steroid hormones, particularly androgens, as well as polymorphisms in genes regulating androgen concentration and effects. Women, all 42 years of age and premenopausal (n = 270), were recruited randomly. Conventional "masculine" and "feminine" personality traits were examined by questionnaire and set in relation to psychosocial and socioeconomic conditions, behavior in childhood, hormones, risk factors for disease, and polymorphisms in microsatellites in the CYP aromatase and the androgen receptor gene. The proportions of personality traits considered as being dominated by "masculinity" (M) or "femininity" (F) were 44.9%, respectively 15.0%, the rest consisting of a combination of M and F (33.2%) or "undifferentiated" (6.9%). M characteristics were positively associated with education, sporting, self-confidence, and good adaptation to work situation. M scores correlated with reports of "tomboyism" as girls. There was essentially no difference in hormones or disease risk factors between M and F women. The number of (CAG) repeats in the microsatellite of the transactivating domain of the androgen receptor was 19 (2.3; M and SD). M characteristics were more pronounced in the presence of longer repeat stretches (n > 20). No associations were found with F scores. There were no significant associations to the number of tetranucleotide repeats (TTTA) in the fourth introne of the aromatase gene. It was concluded that a majority of women showed M type of personality traits, associated with normal hormones, somatic health, and a long microsatellite in the transactivating domain of the AR gene.
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| 5. |
- Baghaei, Fariba, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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The lean woman.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Obesity research. - : Wiley. - 1071-7323. ; 10:2, s. 115-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: In the current obesity epidemic, the ability to remain lean is beginning to be uncommon. Therefore, it was considered of interest to characterize such subjects. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: From a population of premenopausal women (n = 270), all 40 years of age, those with a similar body mass index (BMI) as women at the age of 21 years, born the same year (BMI = 21.1 kg/m(2)) were selected among nonsmokers and compared with the remaining nonsmoking women. RESULTS: Lean women showed, as expected, low waist-to-hip circumference ratio and abdominal sagittal diameter as well as absence of other disease risk factors. Compared with the remaining women, 17 beta-estradiol was high and androgens were low, whereas insulin-like growth factor I and thyroid hormones showed no differences. Dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate was lower, whereas cortisol, measured in saliva repeatedly over a day, and adrenocorticotropin hormone were not different. Results from questionnaires indicated higher education and socioeconomic status, frequent sports activities, and better psychosocial adaptation and psychological health. A tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism in the fourth [corrected] intron of the aromatase P450 gene was longer among the lean (187 base pairs) than the rest of the women. Women with opposite phylogenetic characteristic have a short microsatellite (168 base pairs) in this gene locus. DISCUSSION: Lean, nonsmoking women enjoy an excellent health in not only anthropometric and metabolic factors, but also in neuroendocrine, endocrine, and psychological variables. The endocrine measurements suggest a well-functioning aromatase, which in turn might have a genetic background, contributing to health. The aromatase gene might be important for regulation of body fat mass.
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| 6. |
- Henningsson, Susanne, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Sex steroid-related genes and male-to-female transsexualism
- 2005
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - Oxford : Pergamon Press. - 0306-4530 .- 1873-3360. ; 59:5, s. 412-412
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transsexualism is characterised by Lifelong discomfort with the assigned sex and a strong identification with the opposite sex. The cause of transsexualism is unknown, but it has been suggested that an aberration in the early sexual differentiation of various brain structures may be involved. Animal experiments have revealed that the sexual differentiation of the brain is mainly due to an influence of testosterone, acting both via androgen receptors (ARs) and-after aromatase-catalyzed conversion to estradiol-via estrogen receptors (ERs). The present study examined the possible importance of three polymorphisms and their pairwise interactions for the development of male-to-female transsexualism: a CAG repeat sequence in the first exon of the AR gene, a tetra nucleotide repeat polymorphism in intron 4 of the aromatase gene, and a CA repeat polymorphism in intron 5 of the ER beta gene. Subjects were 29 Caucasian male-to-female transsexuals and 229 healthy mate controls. Transsexuals differed from controls with respect to the mean Length of the ER repeat polymorphism, but not with respect to the length of the other two studied polymorphisms. However, binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant partial effects for all three polymorphisms, as well as for the interaction between the AR and aromatase gene polymorphisms, on the risk of developing transsexualism. Given the small number of transsexuals in the study, the results should be interpreted with the utmost caution. Further study of the putative role of these and other sex steroid-related genes for the development of transsexualism may, however, be worthwhile.
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| 7. |
- Landén, Mikael, 1966, et al.
(författare)
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Dyslipidemia and high waist-hip ratio in women with self-reported social anxiety.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4530. ; 29:8, s. 1037-46
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous research has indicated that phobic anxiety is associated with coronary heart disease. In this study, the possible association between social anxiety and various anthropometric, metabolic, and endocrine measurements known to be associated with cardiovascular disease were studied in a population-based cohort of 216 women 41-42 years old. Each participant was assessed by means of a DSM-IV based self-report questionnaire regarding social anxiety and related psychiatric diagnoses. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), and serum levels of lipids and hormones were assessed. The prevalence of social anxiety was 14% (n=31). The social anxiety group displayed higher serum levels of triglycerides (1.3+/-0.9 vs. 1.0+/-0.5, P=0.003) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (3.3+/-0.8 vs. 3.0+/-0.7, P=0.03), but lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (1.4+/-0.3 vs. 1.6+/-0.4, P=0.04) and HDL/LDL ratio (0.46+/-0.15 vs. 0.57+/-0.22, P=0.008) than the other women. Serum levels of total testosterone (1.6+/-0.8 vs. 2.2+/-1.1, P=0.013) and free thyroxin (14+/-2 vs. 16+/-4, P=0.04) were lower in subjects confirming social anxiety. While WHR was significantly higher in the social anxiety group (0.83+/-0.06 vs. 0.80+/-0.07, P=0.016), BMI did not differ between the groups. Our data suggest that self-reported social anxiety is associated with two established risk factors for cardiovascular disease: dyslipidemia and increased WHR.
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| 8. |
- Melke, Jonas, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and platelet [3H] paroxetine binding in premenstrual dysphoria.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - 0306-4530. ; 28:3, s. 446-58
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to investigate if women with premenstrual dysphoria differ from controls with respect to the number of platelet serotonin transporters, and with respect to three polymorphisms in the gene coding for the serotonin transporter: a 44 base pair insertion/deletion in the promoter region, a variable number of tandem repeats in the second intron, and a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region. Also, the possible relationship between the three polymorphisms and platelet serotonin transporter density was analyzed. The density of platelet [(3)H]paroxetine binding sites was significantly lower in women with premenstrual dysphoria than in controls, but patients and controls did not differ with respect to allele or genotype frequency for any of the three polymorphisms examined. A significant association between the number of platelet serotonin transporters and the promoter polymorphism was observed, subjects being homozygous for the short (deletion) variant having higher platelet serotonin transporter density than subjects carrying the long (insertion) allele. The results support the assumption that serotonin-related psychiatric disorders-such as premenstrual dysphoria-may be associated with a reduction in platelet [(3)H]paroxetine binding, but argue against the notion that this reduction is due to certain variants of the serotonin transporter gene being more common in patients than in controls.
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| 9. |
- Melke, Jonas, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms are associated with anxiety-related personality traits in women.
- 2001
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Ingår i: American journal of medical genetics. - 0148-7299. ; 105:5, s. 458-63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies have reported an association between anxiety-related personality traits and a promoter polymorphism in the human serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene (5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region, 5-HTTLPR). In the present study, a population of 251 subjects was assessed with the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) and genotyped both for the 5-HTTLPR and for a variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in the second intron of the same gene. The interpretation of previous studies has to some extent been confounded by the studied subjects differing with respect to ethnicity, sex, and age. To circumvent this problem, all included subjects were Caucasians, women, and born in the same year (1956). Associations were found between the 5-HTTLPR and four of the five anxiety-related KSP scales (psychic anxiety, muscular tension, psychasthenia, and lack of assertiveness), subjects being homozygous for the short allele displaying higher anxiety scores than those of the long/long or long/short genotype. In addition, an association was found between the intron 2 polymorphism and one anxiety-related personality trait (somatic anxiety).
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| 10. |
- Suchankova, Petra, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic variability within the S100B gene influences the personality trait self-directedness.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-3360 .- 0306-4530. ; 36:6, s. 919-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Elevated serum levels of S100B have proven useful as an indicator of brain-injury but have also been shown in patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Recently, associations were found between variations in the S100B gene and schizophrenia as well as bipolar affective disorder. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether some of these genetic variations influence general aspects of human behaviour as portrayed by normal dimensions of personality. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms within the S100B gene, 2757C>G and 5748C>T, were genotyped in two population based cohorts consisting of 42-year-old women (n=270) and 51-year-old men (n=247), respectively. The two polymorphisms were analysed with respect to personality traits assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). In men, the 2757C>G polymorphism was found to significantly influence the TCI dimension self-directedness with higher scores in 2757G homozygotes. A similar tendency towards association was seen in the female cohort; however, this correlation did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, the 5748C>T polymorphism was highly associated with self-directedness in men. Self-directedness is an overall estimate of adaptive strategies to adjust behaviour to conceptual goals as well as coping strategies and is strongly correlated to general mental health and absence of personality disorder. These preliminary findings suggest that the S100B gene may be implicated not only in certain pathological brain conditions but also in processes involved in normal behaviour.
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