Association of a common D3 dopamine receptor gene variant is associated with sensation seeking in skiers and snowboarders

The ‘sensation seeking’ trait has been associated with risky behaviors including high-risk sport participation. Genes involved in dopaminergic neurotransmission have been investigated in studies of approach traits; however, not in sporting contexts. We used joint-analysis to investigate the relationship between monoamine-neurotransmitter gene variants and impulsive and sport-specific sensation seeking in skiers (n = 599). An initial screen identified a few variants that were associated with sensation seeking, one of which, a G/A transition (rs167771) in the D3-receptor gene (DRD3), remained significant in the combined sample and after correction for multiple testing (p = .004, ηp2=.02). DRD3 variants have been associated with approach traits; however, our results are the first to suggest a role for rs167771 in sensation seeking.

► We compared general and sport sensation seeking scores for dopamine gene variants. ► Using joint-analysis we tested 26 SNPs in eight genes in a sample of skiers. ► Significant SNPs from stage 1 were re-tested in stage 2. ► Sensation seeking was significantly associated with D3 receptor SNP rs167771.