Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Kirchschlager, T.
Genetic links of the Big Five personality traits in bipolar disorder
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2021. pp. 68
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Bengesser Susanne
- Dalkner Nina
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction: Genetic factors play an important role in BD development and onset in dependency of provoking triggers, like early life stress, coping mechanisms and social stability as described by the stress-vulnerability model. Furthermore, specific personality traits that are genetically transmitted to some extent have an impact on the course of BD. Now, in this thesis we observed the genetic influences on personality differences in BD patients. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 40 male and 43 female BD patients and sent to the Institute of Human Genetics Graz for DNA-isolation with the salting out technique. Genotyping was performed with the Omniexpress1.1 bead chip from Illumina at the Life & Brain Center Bonn. Guided by hypotheses, the isolation of the following gene variants took place: COMT (rs4680), BDNF (rs6265), 5-HTR2A (rs6311, rs6313) and the CLOCK genes CLOCK (rs534654, rs1801260, rs12649507) and PER3 (rs10462021, rs10864315, rs228682, rs228642). The ‘Big Five’ personality traits were assessed by the NEO-FFI, a questionnaire with 60 different statements, in order to receive a quantitative analysis of our participants’ personality. IBM SPSS version 25 was used for the analysis of this thesis’ data. We examined the differences of personality traits in genotype carriers. Age was inserted as covariate in our model for openness for experience and extraversion. Results: Two of the investigated genotypes of PER3 showed a significant difference for the personality trait neuroticism in BD patients. PER3 rs228682 showed higher scores in AG and AA genotype carriers in comparison to the GG genotype (F(2/78) = .03, p = .003, Eta= .140), whilst PER3 rs228642 showed higher scores for the group AG+GG than AA (F(1/79) = .01, p = .008, Eta= .085). The analysis identified trends (p <0.1) concerning the association between personality traits and genotypes of COMT (rs4680), 5-HTR2A (rs6311, rs6313) and PER3 (rs228642). Conclusion: The PER3 polymorphisms rs228682 and rs228642 showed a significant difference for the personality trait neuroticism. Additional trends toward statistical significance concerning personality differences were determined for the genes COMT (rs4680), 5-HTR2A (rs6311, 6313) and PER3 (rs228642). Further analyses with larger sample sizes are definitely needed to receive valid answers and to gain more knowledge about BD pathomechanisms and personality development/variety in BD patients.