Dopamine Genes and Sensory Sensitivity as a Temperamental Trait

Abstract

The regulative theory of temperament defines sensory sensitivity as the capacity to react to sensory stimuli of low stimulating value. Some evidence already exists indicating that dopamine has the potential to modulate different aspects of sensory sensitivity. The present study sought to identify the relationships between several polymorphisms in dopamine genes (DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, DAT1, ANKK1, SNAP-25, and COMT) and sensory sensitivity as a temperamental trait. The method used in this study was family-based. The study was run on 149 biological families with one or two children aged 3–12 (M = 6.83; SD = 1.9). Phenotypic data were obtained using the Temperament Inventory for Children. We found a significant association with rs463379, the single nucleotide polymorphism in intron 4 of dopamine transporter gene (DAT1). Furthermore, we found a significant association with haplotypes in DAT1 and SNAP-25 (the synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa) genes. The data collected suggest that variability in dopamine genes may have an impact on the development of sensory sensitivity.