Population migration and the variation of dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) allele frequencies around the globe

This article reports an association between the variation of dopamine D4 re ceptor (DRD4) allele frequencies around the globe and population migration patterns in prehistoric times. After compiling existing data an DRD4 allele frequencies of 2,320 individuals from 39 populations and on the migration pattern of these groups, we found that, compared to sedentary populations, migratory populations showed a higher proportion of long alleles for DRD4, The correlation between macro-migration (long-distance group migration) and the proportion of long alleles of DRD4 was .85 (p < 0.01), and that betwee n micro-migration (sedentary vs, nomadic settlement) and the proportion of long alleles was .52 (p = .001), We discussed the adaptive value of long al leles of DRD4-a genetic trait that has been linked in some studies to the p ersonality trait of novelty-seeking and to hyperactivity- in migratory soci eties and the possibility of natural selection for a migration gene. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science Inc.