Cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphism and character traits

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is involved in dopamine metabolism within the brain. The dopamine system is suggested to play a role in determining normal character. The purpose of this study was to examine whether character traits are dependent on cytochrome P450 2D6 activity. METHODS: We investigated the association between temperament and CYP2D6 gene polymorphism. The subjects were all Japanese and the polymorphism genotyped in the present study was CYP2D6*10. Character traits were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS: There was no overall or specific association between personality traits and the CYP2D6*10 allele and genotype frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: The present results do not support the hypothesis that CYP2D6 activity affects temperament and character.