Several lines of evidence indicate that DAT dysfunction is linked to neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BPD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Here, we tested the effect of two variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms in DRD4 and DAT1 (SLC6A3), both candidate genes for BPD with functional impact on dopaminergic neurotransmission, on bistable perception in a cohort of 108 healthy human subjects.
The associations reported in this article suggest that the 9-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter is associated with angry-impulsive personality traits, independent of any link to mood disorder or BPD.
This replicated association in depressed patients between the 9-repeat allele of DAT1 and BPD may provide clues to understanding the neurobiology of BPD.