COMT rs4680 polymorphism modulates openness to experience in women with alcohol use disorder.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to examine the association between COMT rs4680 genotypes, alcohol use disorder diagnosis, and differences in Five-Factor personality traits.

METHODS

We examined 213 adult women in total, including 101 with a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 112 non-addicted controls. All participants completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and were genotyped for the COMT rs4680 polymorphism using real-time PCR. Group comparisons and genotype × diagnosis interactions were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc tests.

RESULTS

Women with AUD scored significantly higher on Neuroticism and Openness to Experience, and lower on Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness compared to controls. A significant interaction between COMT rs4680 genotype and group status was observed for Openness (F2,207 = 6.16, p = 0.0025), with alcohol-dependent women carrying the G/A or G/G genotype showing elevated Openness scores compared to genotype-matched controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that dopaminergic genetic variation may moderate the expression of personality traits in the context of alcohol dependence. Openness to Experience, typically associated with cognitive flexibility, may represent both a vulnerability and an adaptation mechanism in addiction, depending on genetic background. This study emphasizes the importance of considering gene × personality interactions in female addiction research.