Genetic Basis Of Self:Effects Of The Genes Of Dopamine,Testosterone,and Oxytocin Pathways

"Self" is the individual's understanding on "Who am I?".The psychologists have concerned on the origin of individual difference in "Self" for a long time.However,it is not been well understood.Studies suggested that dopamine,testosterone and oxytocin can modulate several self-related processes.So,the key genes in the pathways of dopamine,testosterone,and oxytocin may be linked to the self.To further determine the specific relationships between these key genes and different types of self,and inspired by the "Self-construal theory","Self-consciousness theory",and "Self-consistency and congruence theory" of psychology,this study investigated the effects of 12 genes,including COMT,MAOA,DBH,DRD2,DRD4,DAT1,CYP19A1,SRD5A2,AR,SHBG,OXTR,and CD38 in dopamine,testosterone and oxytocin pathways,on individual differences in "Self-construal","Self-consciousness",and"Self-consistency and congruence" with a college student cohortThe main results were as follows:1."Self-construal"(1)In dopamine pathway,MAOA affected the score on "Independent self-construal" in females(p = 0.039).The interaction between DAT1 and DBH affected the score on"Interdependent self-construal"(p = 0.003).The cumulative effect of COMT,MAOA,DBH,DRD2,DRD4,and DAT1 affected the score on "Independent self-construal" in females(p =0.045).(2)In testosterone pathway,CYP19A1 affected the score on "Independent self-construal"(p = 0.027),and AR affected the score on "Interdependent self-construal"(p =0.036)in males.However,neither the interactions nor cumulative effect of CYP19A1,SRD5A2,AR,and SHBG affected the scores on "Self-construal"(ps>0.050).(3)In oxytocin pathway,OXTR and CD38 did not affect the scores on "Self-construal"(ps>0.050),and neither the interaction nor cumulative effect of the two genes affected the scores on"Self-construal"(ps>0.050).2."Self-consciousness"(1)In dopamine pathway,COMT affected the score on "Private self-consciousness"(p =0.019)and DRD2 affected the scores on "Self-consciousness"(p = 0.021,p = 0.024).However,neither the interactions nor cumulative effect of the six genes affected the scores on"Self-consciousness"(ps>0.050).(2)In testosterone pathway,SRD5A2 affected the score on"Public self-consciousness"(p = 0.042),while neither the interactions nor cumulative effect of the four genes affected the scores on "Self-consciousness"(ps>0.050).(3)In oxytocin pathway,OXTR affected the score on "Private self-consciousness"(p = 0.033).The cumulative effect of OXTR and CD38 affected the score on "Private self-consciousness"(p =0.034),while the interaction between the two genes did not affect the scores on"Self-consciousness"(ps>0.050).3."Self-consistency and congruence"(1)In dopamine pathway,COMT affected the score on "self-flexibility"(p = 0.001).The interaction between DAT1 and DBH affected the score on "Inconsistency between self and experience"(p = 0.049),while the cumulative effect of the six genes did not affect the scores on "Self-consistency and congruence"(ps>0.050).(2)In testosterone pathway,neither the four genes nor the interactions of these genes affected the scores on "Self-consistency and congruence"(ps>0.050),while the cumulative effect of the four genes affected the score on"Self-stereotype" in females(p = 0.04).(3)In oxytocin pathway,OATR affected the score on"Self-stereotype"(p = 0.02).The cumulative effect of OXTR and CD38 affected the scores on"Self-flexibility" and "Self-stereotype"(ps<0.050),while the interaction between the two genes did not affect the scores on "Self-consistency and congruence"(ps>0.050).4.Interactions between genes and environmental factor(1)The extent of abuse during parenting modulated the effects of COMT,DRD2,and CD38 on the scores on“Self-consciousness"(ps<0.05)and the effects of COMT and OXTR on the scores on "Self-consistency and congruence"(ps<0.05),respectively.(2)The life stress modulated the effects of DBH,DAT1,AR,and SHBG on the scores on "Self-consistency and congruence"(ps<0.05).(3)The mental health status modulated the effects of DAT1 on the scores on "Self-construal"(p = 0.035).Our findings indicate that the individual difference in "Self" can be modulated by the genes of dopamine,testosterone and oxytocin pathways.In dopamine pathway,MAO A affects"Self-construal",COMT affects "Self-consciousness" and "Self-consistency and congruence",and DRD2 affects "Self-consciousness".In testosterone pathway,CYP19A1 and AR affect"Self-construal",and SRD5A2 affects "Self-consciousness".In oxytocin pathway,OXTR affects "Self-consciousness" and "Self-consistency and congruence".