Kim, Yuri2020-08-252020-08-252020-04https://hdl.handle.net/11299/215009University of Minnesota M.A. thesis. April 2020. Major: Psychology. Advisors: Matt McGue, James Lee. 1 computer file (PDF); iii, 23 pages.We explored the biological underpinnings of Neuroticism, which is defined as the propensity to be depressed, anxious, and volatile. We further aimed to test the verisimilitude of the Neuroticism factor model. Applying structural equation modeling to a genome-wide association study of Neuroticism, we categorized genetic variants that significantly associated with Eysenck Personality Questionnaire items as appearing to act through the Neuroticism general factor or through a pathway independent of any factor. Via bioinformatic analysis, we found that the structures of the central nervous system are highly implicated. For the general factor, the top significant tissues are the parahippocampal gyrus and the temporal lobe. 169 gene sets were enriched; they implicate neuron structure, synaptic activity and fear-inhibiting movements. For the independent pathways, top tissues include the visual cortex and occipital lobe. The GRIA1 PPI subnetwork gene set was enriched. We found genetic evidence supporting the validity of the Neuroticism factor model.enbiological annotationbiology of personalityneuroticismThesis or Dissertation