Original article
The structure of the temperament postulated in the Regulative Theory of Temperament and polymorphisms in the 5-HTT, DAT1 and DRD4 genes in young females

The aim of our study was to determine whether the 5-HTT, DAT1 and DRD4 polymorphisms are related to the structure of temperamental traits postulated in the Regulative Theory of Temperament. We recognized four structures, concerning potential for stimulation processing and its effectiveness: harmonized and nonharmonized structure of the temperament with high and low potential for stimulation processing. All temperamental traits were measured using the Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI). The studied sample comprised 200 unrelated females, aged 18 to 29. DNA of the subjects was isolated from the buccal epithelial cells, while 5-HTT, DAT1 and DRD4 polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR and electrophoresis. We have demonstrated that the 5-HTT polymorphism is associated with harmonized structure of the temperament with high potential for stimulation processing. The difference in similarity to this profile of the temperament structure between S group (genotypes SS and SL) and L group (genotype LL) was statistically significant (F=7.68, df=1, p=0.006). The L group was found to be more similar to the harmonized structure of the temperament in comparison to the S group. No significant association was observed for DAT1 and DRD4 polymorphisms. Due to the preliminary nature of our findings, replication is necessary.