Genetic and neural bases of the neuroticism general factor

Abstract

We applied structural equation modeling to genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the items in a Neuroticism questionnaire. We categorized significant genetic variants as acting either through the Neuroticism general factor, through other factors measured by the questionnaire, or through paths independent of any factor. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the genetic variants associated with the Neuroticism general factor tend to lie near or within genes expressed in the brain. Enriched gene sets suggest behaviors in mice indicative of fear and anxiety. Psychologists have long asked whether psychometric common factors are merely a convenient summary of correlated variables or causal entities with a partial biological basis, and our results provide some support for the latter interpretation. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which causes resembling common factors operate alongside other mechanisms to generate the correlational structure of personality.