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- Title
Possible Association between Serotonin Transporter Promoter Region Polymorphism and Extremely Violent Crime in Chinese Males.
- Authors
Liao, Ding-Lieh; Hong, Chen-Jee; Shih, Hao-Ling; Tsai, Shih-Jen
- Abstract
The neurotransmitter, serotonin, has been implicated in aggressive behavior. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT), which reuptakes serotonin into the nerve terminal, plays a critical role in the regulation of serotonergic function. Previous western reports have demonstrated that the low-activity short (S) allele of the 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic-region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism is associated with aggressive behavior and associated personality traits. In the present study, we investigated this 5-HTTLPR genetic polymorphism in a group of Chinese males who had been convicted for extremely violent crime (n = 135) and a normal control group (n = 111). The proportion of S-allele carriers was significantly higher in the criminal group than in the controls (p = 0.006). A significant association was not demonstrated for the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and antisocial personality disorder, substance abuse or alcohol abuse in the criminal group. Our findings demonstrate that carriage of the low-activity S allele is associated with extremely violent criminal behavior in Chinese males, and suggests that the 5-HTT may be implicated in the mechanisms underlying violent behaviors. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Subjects
ANTISOCIAL personality disorders; SEROTONIN; NEUROTRANSMITTERS; GENETIC polymorphisms; POPULATION genetics; SUBSTANCE abuse
- Publication
Neuropsychobiology, 2004, Vol 50, Issue 4, p284
- ISSN
0302-282X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000080953