Mc Fie, SarahAbrahams, ShameemahPatricios, Jonathan SperidonSuter, JasonPosthumus, MichaelSeptember, Alison V.2017-07-192018-04Sarah Mc Fie, Shameemah Abrahams, Jon Patricios, Jason Suter, Michael Posthumus & Alison V. September (2018): The association between COMT rs4680 and 5- HTTLPR genotypes and concussion history in South African rugby union players, Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(8):920-933. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1346274.1466-447X (online)0264-0414 (print)10.1080/02640414.2017.1346274http://hdl.handle.net/2263/61382The objective was to investigate the relationship between Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 and serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotypes with concussion history and personality traits. Rugby players (“all levels”: n = 303), from high schools (“junior”, n = 137), senior amateur, and professional teams (“senior”, n = 166), completed a self-reported concussion history questionnaire, Cloninger’s Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire, and donated a DNA sample. Participants were allocated into control (non-concussed, n = 140), case (all) (previous suspected or diagnosed concussions, n = 163), or case (diagnosed only) (previous diagnosed concussion, n = 140) groups. COMT rs4680 Val/Val genotypes were over-represented in controls in all levels (P = 0.013, OR:2.00, 95% CI:1.15–3.57) and in juniors (P = 0.003, OR:3.57, 95% CI:1.45–9.09). Junior Val/Val participants displayed increased “anticipatory worry” (P = 0.023). The 5-HTTLPR low expressing group was under-represented in controls when all levels were considered (P = 0.032; OR:2.02, 95% CI:1.05–3.90) and in juniors (P = 0.021; OR:3.36, 95% CI:1.16–9.72). Junior 5-HTTLPR low and intermediate expressing groups displayed decreased “harm avoidance” (P = 0.009), “anticipatory worry” (P = 0.041), and “fear of uncertainty” (P < 0.001). This study provides preliminary indications that personality associated genetic variants can influence concussion in rugby.en© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an electronic version of an article published in Journal of Sports Sciences, vol. 36, no. 8, pp. 920-933, 2018. doi : 10.1080/02640414.2017.1346274. Journal of Sports Sciences is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/rjsp20.ConcussionRugbyPersonalityCatechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)Serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4)Postprint Article