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Association of a functional variant of the nitric oxide synthase 1 gene with personality, anxiety, and depressiveness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2012

Triin Kurrikoff ,
Klaus-Peter Lesch ,
Evelyn Kiive ,
Kenn Konstabel ,
Sabine Herterich ,
Toomas Veidebaum ,
Andreas Reif  and
Jaanus Harro
Triin Kurrikoff
Affiliation:
University of Tartu
Klaus-Peter Lesch
Affiliation:
University of Würzburg
Evelyn Kiive
Affiliation:
University of Tartu
Kenn Konstabel
Affiliation:
University of Tartu National Institute for Health Development
Sabine Herterich
Affiliation:
University of Würzburg
Toomas Veidebaum
Affiliation:
National Institute for Health Development
Andreas Reif
Affiliation:
University of Würzburg
Jaanus Harro*
Affiliation:
University of Tartu
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Jaanus Harro, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, EE 50410, Tartu, Estonia; E-mail: jaanus.harro@ut.ee.
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Abstract

A functional promoter polymorphism of the nitric oxide synthase 1 gene first exon 1f variable number tandem repeat (NOS1 ex1f-VNTR) is associated with impulsivity and related psychopathology. Facets of impulsivity are strongly associated with personality traits; maladaptive impulsivity with neuroticism; and adaptive impulsivity with extraversion. Both high neuroticism and low extraversion predict anxiety and depressive symptoms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the NOS1 ex1f-VNTR genotype and possible interaction with environmental factors on personality, anxiety, and depressiveness in a population-representative sample. Short allele carriers had higher neuroticism and anxiety than individuals with the long/long (l/l) genotype. Male short/short homozygotes also had higher extraversion. In the face of environmental adversity, females with a short allele had higher scores of neuroticism, anxiety, and depressiveness compared to the l/l genotype. Males were more sensitive to environmental conditions when they had the l/l genotype and low extraversion. In conclusion, the NOS1 ex1f-VNTR influences personality and emotional regulation dependent on gender and environment. Together with previous findings on the effect of the NOS1 genotype on impulse control, these data suggest that NOS1 should be considered another plasticity gene, because its variants are associated with different coping strategies.

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Type
Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 24 , Issue 4: Contributions of the Genetic/Genomic Sciences to Developmental Psychopathology , November 2012 , pp. 1225 - 1235
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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