The dopamine D2 receptor gene TaqI A polymorphism is not associated with novelty seeking, harm avoidance and reward dependence in healthy subjects

Allele Al of the TaqI A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the dopamine D2 receptor gene has been found to be associated with substanc e abuse and alcoholism. The personality trait of Novelty Seeking (NS) is al so associated with substance abuse and dependence. We hypothesised, on the basis of involvement of dopaminergic mechanisms in substance abuse, that th e presence of allele Al of the dopamine D2 receptor gene may represent a ge netic predisposition for the NS personality trait. We investigated, therefo re, whether the allele Al of the TaqI A RFLP of the dopamine D2 receptor ge ne is associated with the NS dimension of the Tridimensional Personality Qu estionnaire (TPQ) in healthy Caucasian subjects with no history of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence. We genotyped 204 subjects aged 18 to 30 y ears. There was no association between any of the alleles of the D2 recepto r genes and any of the TPQ scores (NS, Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence). We conclude that allele Al of the TaqI A RFLP of the dopamine D2 receptor i s not associated with NS personality trait in healthy Caucasian subjects. ( C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.