Abstract
Heritability of human personality traits is estimated in the range from 30% to 60%. A polygenic model which suggests interactions of multiple genes with each other and environment is recently preferred by researches.
One of the reasons why a psychiatrist should be aware of this issue is that personality traits of healthy persons may represent endophenotypes of psychopatology, and thus predict potential mental health problems. This review covers genetic background of major human personality traits like novelty seeking, neuroticism, extraversion, impulsivity, or antisocial behavior.
Results of recent meta-analyses with potential neurobiological mechanisms and possible transitions to Axis I mental disorders are presented. A full understanding of genetic principles of the human personality and the role of social environment may be a fundamental step to an effective causal treatment and prevention of mental disorders in the future.