Association study between dopamine D3 receptor gene variant and personality traits.

Dopamine receptor gene variation has been hypothesized to influence personality traits characterized by novelty seeking and related traits. We analyzed a dopamine D(3) receptor gene (DRD3) variant in a Swedish population (n = 373) investigated with one or more of several personality questionnaires. No significant relationships were found between DRD3 genotypes and any of the 15 Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) and five Health-relevant Personality 5 factor inventory (HP5i) scales. The DRD3 variant was associated with some scales related to novelty seeking: the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP) Adventure Seeking and the revised NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI-R) Fantasy (O1) and Order (C2) scales. There were also associations with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) Cooperativeness and Compassion (C4) scales. After correction for multiple testing, however, no significant difference remained. We conclude that the investigated DRD3 polymorphism does not have a major impact on personality in the investigated population. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.