Personality isn't just about upbringing. It might also be written in our genes. A new look at 348 healthy people found surprising links between vitamin-related genetic scores and how we feel emotionally. Specifically, the study looked at neuroticism, which describes a tendency toward anxiety and moodiness. The results showed that genetic scores for vitamin B9 were linked to lower levels of neuroticism in women. In men, the opposite was true: genetic scores for vitamin D were linked to higher neuroticism. Interestingly, genetic scores for vitamin B9 showed no connection to neuroticism in men. The researchers also found that these vitamin scores were connected to genetic risks for bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorders in men. These findings suggest that the biological pathways for vitamins might work differently depending on sex. While this is a genetic study, not a trial, it highlights how our biology shapes who we are. The data comes from a group of unrelated individuals, meaning these results apply to a specific type of healthy population. We must remember that genetics are only one piece of the puzzle. Many other factors, like environment and life experiences, also shape our personalities. This research opens a window into how our bodies and minds are connected in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Vitamin D and B9 genetic scores linked to neuroticism in healthy adultsGenetic scores for vitamins B9 and D link to personality traits in men and women
AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work
Key Takeaway
Consider that genetic vitamin scores show sex-specific links to neuroticism in healthy adults, but causation is not established.
This was a cohort study of 348 healthy unrelated individuals in a nonclinical setting. The study assessed genetic polygenic scores (PGS) for vitamin D (VD) and vitamin B9 (VB9) concentrations and evaluated their association with neuroticism scores.
The main results showed a negative association between VB9-PGS and neuroticism scores in women. In men, there was a positive association between VD-PGS and neuroticism scores. For men, neuroticism scores were not correlated with PGS for neuroticism but were associated with PGS for bipolar disorder type 1 and alcohol use disorders. No effect sizes, absolute numbers, or p-values were reported for these associations.
Safety and tolerability data were not reported, as adverse events, serious adverse events, and discontinuations were not reported. Key limitations include the observational design, which cannot establish causation, and the lack of reported effect sizes, confidence intervals, or follow-up duration.
The practice relevance was not reported. The study aimed to evaluate associations, and results suggest effects of genetic propensity might differ across sexes, but clinical outcomes were not assessed.
What this means for you:
Genetic scores for vitamins B9 and D linked to personality traits like neuroticism in men and women. View Original Abstract ↓
IntroductionNeuroticism is a personality domain with prognostic value for physical and mental health. To properly inform public health policy, it is crucial to uncover the mechanisms underlying high neuroticism. Many internal and external factors that affect brain development and functioning and therefore might contribute to the variability of neuroticism remain understudied. Among them, the impact of vitamin sufficiency is of great interest, as it is a modifiable factor. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of neuroticism with vitamin D (VD) and vitamin B9 (VB9) using polygenic scores (PGS) in a nonclinical cohort.MethodsWe analyzed data from 348 healthy unrelated individuals, including neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Inventory, VD-PGS, VB9-PGS and PGS for neuroticism-related traits.ResultsThe analysis controlling for demographic and genetic confounders revealed a negative association between VB9-PGS and neuroticism scores in women and a positive association between VD-PGS and neuroticism scores in men. The highest values of the VD-PGS were observed in men, who scored high on both neuroticism and extraversion. In men, unlike women, neuroticism scores were not correlated with PGS for neuroticism but were associated with PGS for bipolar disorder type 1 and alcohol use disorders.ConclusionThe results suggest that the effects on neuroticism of genetic propensity for suboptimal vitamin D and B9 concentrations might differ across the two sexes. The findings are consistent with the idea of the importance of vitamin B9 for emotional stability in women and indicate the involvement of genetic factors predisposing to higher vitamin D levels in excitability-related components of neuroticism in men.
PETRUSHKA decision-support tool reduced treatment discontinuation and improved symptoms in major depressive disorder
The Algorithm That Helps Doctors Pick the Right Antidepressant for You
Related in Psychiatry
Reducing social media use to 1 hour daily significantly reduces loneliness in youth
Limiting Social Media Use Reduces Loneliness in Youth with Anxiety
This randomized controlled trial of 219 youth with anxiety or depression found that limiting social media use to 1 hour per day for three we…
Youth with anxiety and depression felt less lonely after voluntarily limiting their social media use to one hour per day for three weeks.
GLP-1R exposure shows no causal link to most mental disorders except eating disorders
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Show Mixed Links to Mental Health
This meta-analysis investigated the causal associations between GLP-1 receptor agonists and various mental health outcomes including anxiety…
New research explores how GLP-1 receptor agonists relate to conditions like anxiety and depression, finding no clear genetic link to most di…
Brief post-discharge interventions show reduced suicide outcomes in youth but lack specific autism-adapted data
Brief follow up programs may reduce suicide outcomes in youth
This systematic review of 24 studies examined brief post-discharge interventions for youth who have attempted suicide. While 8 studies showe…
New research looks at how quick safety planning and coping skills can help young people who have attempted suicide.
Open psychiatric wards improve depression scores and treatment adherence in hospitalized patients with depression
Open psychiatric wards may improve depression outcomes
This meta-analysis of 9 RCTs indicates that open psychiatric ward management leads to significantly lower SDS (MD -3.81) and HAMD (MD -0.99)…
A new analysis of 9 trials finds that open psychiatric wards may help reduce depression symptoms and boost treatment adherence in hospitaliz…
From Other Specialties
Meningeal Immune System Offers New Target for Glioblastoma Immunotherapy
New approach targets the immune system to treat brain tumors
This systematic review explores how targeting the meningeal immune system, including dural lymphatics and rBAMs, could overcome current barr…
A new strategy focuses on the area where brain tumors meet the body's defenses to improve how immunotherapy works for glioblastoma.
A 6 dimension and 42 item system provides early risk assessment for high-risk diabetic feet
Experts Develop New Risk Assessment System for Diabetic Feet
This expert consultation and guideline describes the development of an early risk assessment system for high-risk diabetic feet. The consens…
A new assessment system identifies risk factors like nerve damage and circulation to help manage and prevent complications in patients with …
Rapid advancements in imaging and blood-based biomarkers are transforming the diagnosis and management of ADRD
New guidelines help doctors tell delirium from dementia
This clinical guideline provides a narrative review on the evolving diagnostic and treatment landscape for Alzheimer's disease and related d…
Delirium is acute and fluctuating; dementia is chronic. New guidelines help doctors tell them apart.
ACTH and vigabatrin achieved full seizure control in a patient with Ververi-Brady syndrome
ACTH and Vigabatrin Show Promise for Rare Epilepsy Syndrome
This case report describes a 5-month-old male infant with Ververi-Brady syndrome and infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. The patient achiev…
A new gene variant linked to Ververi-Brady syndrome showed positive results when treated with a combination of ACTH and vigabatrin.