Personality traits associated with tinnitus: A systematic review and contributing genetic variants

Abstract

Chronic tinnitus is multifaceted condition associated with auditory (hearing loss, hyperacusis), neurological (headache) and psychological disorders (anxiety, depression). Personality traits may determine how tinnitus is perceived, and common genetic variation contributes to shape personality. The goal of this systematic review is to analyze evidence supporting a link between personality traits and tinnitus. Published articles about tinnitus and personality related to the Big Five Traits were included. Based on 7 studies, this systematic review identified the neuroticism trait as the main potential connection between personality and tinnitus suffering. The consistency of this relationship is evident across different Big Five personality tools, with similar outcomes observed regardless of the instrument used, reinforcing the consistency of this association. In order to establish a genetics association, a GWAS based search revealed common genetic variants in the GRM5, XKR6, GRM8, TCF4, and SLC39A8 genes, with SLC39A8 identified as a shared missense variant rs13107325 (C/T, p.Ala391Thr) between neuroticism and tinnitus. The role of these genes in important neural functions points to possible shared mechanisms underlying both conditions.