Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that temperament is strongly influenced by more than 700 genes that modulate associative conditioning by molecular processes for synaptic plasticity and long-term learning and memory. The results were replicated in three independent samples despite variable cultures and environments. The identified genes were enriched in pathways activated by behavioral conditioning in animals, including the two major molecular pathways for response to extracellular stimuli, the Ras-MEK-ERK and the PI3K-AKT-mTOR cascades. These pathways are activated by a wide variety of physiological and psychosocial stimuli that vary in positive and negative valence and in consequences for health and survival. Changes in these pathways are orchestrated to maintain cellular homeostasis despite changing conditions by modulating temperament and its circadian and seasonal rhythms. In this review we first consider traditional concepts of temperament in relation to the new genetic findings by examining the partial overlap of alternative measures of temperament. Then we propose a definition of temperament as the disposition of a person to learn how to behave, react emotionally, and form attachments automatically by associative conditioning. This definition provides necessary and sufficient criteria to distinguish temperament from other aspects of personality that become integrated with it across the life span. We describe the effects of specific stimuli on the molecular processes underlying temperament from functional, developmental, and evolutionary perspectives. Our new knowledge can improve communication among investigators, increase the power and efficacy of clinical trials, and improve the effectiveness of treatment of personality and its disorders.

中文翻译：

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人类气质的复杂遗传学和生物学：对与新分子发现相关的传统概念的回顾。

最近的全基因组关联研究 (GWAS) 表明，气质受到 700 多个基因的强烈影响，这些基因通过突触可塑性和长期学习和记忆的分子过程调节联想调节。尽管文化和环境不同，但结果在三个独立样本中得到了重复。所鉴定的基因富含动物行为调节激活的途径，包括响应细胞外刺激的两个主要分子途径，Ras-MEK-ERK 和 PI3K-AKT-mTOR 级联。这些途径由各种生理和心理社会刺激激活，这些刺激的正价和负价以及对健康和生存的影响各不相同。尽管条件发生变化，但这些途径的变化是通过调节气质及其昼夜节律和季节节律来维持细胞稳态的。在这篇综述中，我们首先通过检查气质替代测量的部分重叠来考虑与新的遗传学发现相关的传统气质概念。然后，我们提出气质的定义，即一个人通过联想调节自动学习如何行为、情感反应和形成依恋的倾向。这个定义提供了必要且充分的标准，以将气质与在一生中与气质融为一体的其他方面进行区分。我们从功能、发育和进化的角度描述了特定刺激对气质分子过程的影响。我们的新知识可以改善研究者之间的沟通，提高临床试验的力度和有效性，并提高人格及其疾病治疗的有效性。