Does the level of LDL cholesterol moderate a relationship between DRD4 and novelty seeking?

Marko Elovainio; Mika Kivimäki; Sampsa Puttonen; Tarja Heponiemi; Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen; Jorma Viikari

doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.03.017

Does the level of LDL cholesterol moderate a relationship between DRD4 and novelty seeking?

Biol Psychol. 2005 Jan;68(1):79-86. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.03.017.

Authors

Marko Elovainio¹, Mika Kivimäki, Sampsa Puttonen, Tarja Heponiemi, Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen, Jorma Viikari

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, PO Box 9, University of Helsinki, FIN 00014 Helsinki, Finland.

PMID: 15312696
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.03.017

Abstract

This study examined the role of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level in the association between Dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) polymorphism and temperament dimension novelty seeking. From the on-going population based study of "Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns", 78 men and women responded to the novelty seeking scale of the temperament and character inventory [Archives of General Psychiatry 44 (1987) 573] and were apolipoprotein E (apoE) and DRD4 genotyped. DRD4 polymorphism was related to disorderliness, a component of novelty seeking, in subjects with high LDL cholesterol level but not in subjects with low LDL cholesterol level. This finding did not change after adjustment for apoE polymorphism. Our findings suggest that the genetic determination of temperament may be dependent on biological factors, such as LDL cholesterol.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Alleles
Apolipoproteins E / genetics
Character
Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
Exploratory Behavior / physiology*
Female
Humans
Male
Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics*
Receptors, Dopamine D4
Temperament

Substances

Apolipoproteins E
Cholesterol, LDL
DRD4 protein, human
Receptors, Dopamine D2
Receptors, Dopamine D4