Happiness linked to gene
13 May 2011
A gene involved in transport of the brain chemical serotonin is being billed by researchers as the 'happiness gene'.
Study author Jan-Emmanuel De Neve analysed US data on the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTT in 2500 people who were asked "how satisfied with your life are you as a whole?".
Individuals who had 2 copies of the 'long' version of the gene had a 17 per cent increased chance of being very satisfied with life, while having one copy of the long version increased the chance of being very satisfied by 8.5 per cent. The 5-HTT gene product transports serotonin through nerve cell walls, enabling it to be reused. The long version of the gene helps recycle serotonin faster than the short version of the gene.
De Neve said this was the first study to show 5-HTT was instrumental in shaping individual happiness levels.
Last Reviewed: 13 May 2011
- 1. De Neve JE. Functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the serotonin transporter gene is associated with subjective well-being: evidence from a US nationally representative sample. J Hum Genet 2011 May 12. [Epub ahead of print]. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2011.39. http://www.nature.com/jhg/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/jhg201139a.html (accessed May 2011).
