HSP Genetic Differences

One reason for the variation among HSCs is that temperament traits seem to be caused by several genes, each having small, cumulative effects. Thus each different flavor of sensitivity—sensitivity to the subtle, the overwhelming, the new, the emotional, the social, or the physical and nonsocial—may be caused by a different gene.

They found the HSP Scale is associated with ten variations on seven different dopamine-controlling genes. So which genes are involved? Probably those affecting serotonin and dopamine, and more.

In a “meta-analysis” of twenty-two experiments involving 3,257 participants, with various problems being measured, several genetic variations associated with differential susceptibility being compared to others that were not, and with several interventions. They found that there was a very significant difference in the outcome of the interventions depending on the genetic variations being studied—with genes for sensitivity, the interventions were more effective. Thus, we know the genes governing high sensitivity are real.