Association between the serotonin transporter gene and personality traits in bordeline personality disorder patients evaluated with Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ)

Abstract

Introduction. The serotoninergic system seems to be implicated in characteristic symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) such as affective instability, impulsivity or suicide. Some studies suggest an association between serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) polymorphisms and some BPD symptoms. Short allele (S) of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in the promoter region has been shown to be associated with impulsivity, aggressive behavior, anxiety and neuroticism. Of the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 2, BPD patients showed higher frequencies of the allele with the 10 repeats. The aim of this study was to determine the association between 5HTTLPR and VNTR polymorphism of 5-HTT and personality traits in borderline personality disorder.

Method. A total of 65 BPD patients diagnosed by means of semi-structured interviews SCID-II and DIB-R were included. Two common polymorphisms of 5-HTT were genotyped: the 5-HTTLPR in the promoter region and VNTR in intron 2. Personality traits were assessed by the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ).

Results. Patients with L allele (L/S or L/L) in the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism showed lower scores on the subscale of liking parties and friends. Patients with the allele with 10 repeat of the VNTR polymorphism, showed lower scores in impulsivity, sensation seeking and in the subscale liking of parties and friends.

Conclusions. The results suggest a significant association between the 5-HTT gene and some personality traits in BPD. This gene may play a role in the etiology of borderline personality disorder.