Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies common variants in CTNNA2 associated with excitement-seeking
Year: 2011
Type: review
Abstract: The tendency to seek stimulating activities and intense sensations define excitement-seeking, a personality trait akin to some aspects of sensation-seeking. This trait is a central feature of extraversion and is a component of the multifaceted impulsivity construct. Those who score high on measures of excitement-seeking are more likely to smoke, use other drugs, gamble, drive recklessly, have unsafe/unprotected sex and engage in other risky behaviors of clinical and social relevance. To identify common genetic variants associated with the Excitement-Seeking scale of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, we performed genome-wide association studies in six samples of European ancestry (N=7860), and combined the results in a meta-analysis. We identified a genome-wide significant association between the Excitement-Seeking scale and rs7600563 (P=2 × 10(-8)). This single-nucleotide polymorphism maps within the catenin cadherin-associated protein, alpha 2 (CTNNA2) gene, which encodes for a brain-expressed α-catenin critical for synaptic contact. The effect of rs7600563 was in the same direction in all six samples, but did not replicate in additional samples (N=5105). The results provide insight into the genetics of excitement-seeking and risk-taking, and are relevant to hyperactivity, substance use, antisocial and bipolar disorders.
Source: Translational Psychiatry
DOI: 10.1038/tp.2011.42
Authors: A Terracciano, T Esko, A R Sutin, M H M de Moor, O Meirelles, G Zhu, T Tanaka, I Giegling, T Nutile, A Realo, J Allik, N K Hansell, M J Wright, G W Montgomery, G Willemsen, J-J Hottenga, M Friedl, D Ruggiero, R Sorice, S Sanna, A Cannas, K Räikkönen, E Widen, A Palotie, J G Eriksson, F Cucca, R F Krueger, J Lahti, M Luciano, J W Smoller, C M van Duijn, G R Abecasis, D I Boomsma, M Ciullo, P T Costa, L Ferrucci, N G Martin, A Metspalu, D Rujescu, D Schlessinger, M Uda
Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, Estonian Biocentre, University of Tartu, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, University of Helsinki, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, University of Minnesota, University of Edinburgh, Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,290
Funders: Helsingin Yliopisto, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, European Commission, European Science Foundation, Beyond Blue, Academy of Finland, Novo Nordisk, Signe ja Ane Gyllenbergin Säätiö, Emil Aaltosen Säätiö, Tartu Ülikool, National Institutes of Health, Medical Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund
OpenAlex ID: W2111109370