Korean J Biol Psychiatry.  2018 Feb;25(1):16-20. 10.0000/kjbp.2018.25.1.16.

Investigation into the Possible Genetic Role of Serotonin and Dopamine Transporters in Psychological Resilience

• Cho SH
• Chung JK
• Bang YW
• Joo EJ

• KMID: 2434818
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/kjbp.2018.25.1.16

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Psychological resilience is the ability to cope with stress. The genetic background behind psychological resilience is not much known. The serotonin transporter and dopamine transporter are implicated in stress related psychology and emotional processing. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible genetic role of functional polymorphisms of serotonin and dopamine transporters for psychological resilience.
METHODS
A total of 951 healthy adult subjects were included. Psychological resilience was measured using Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Genotyping was performed for serotonin transporter gene (SERT) promoter variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) and dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) 3'-untranslated region (UTR) VNTR. Genetic association analysis was conducted between genotypes and the CD-RISC score.
RESULTS
No genetic association was observed for SERT promoter VNTR or DAT1 3'-UTR VNTR with CD-RISC score. No genetic interaction between SERT promoter VNTR and DAT1 3'-UTR VNTR with CD-RISC score was detected.
CONCLUSIONS
Either serotonin or dopamine transporter did not seem to play a significant role for psychological resilience in this sample.

Keyword

CD-RISC; Dopamine; Gene; Psychological resilience; Serotonin

MeSH Terms

Adult
Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
Dopamine*
Genetic Background
Genotype
Humans
Psychology
Resilience, Psychological*
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
Serotonin*
Tandem Repeat Sequences
Dopamine
Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
Serotonin
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins