OBJECTIVES: Psychopathy-related traits, especially those tapping the 'emotional dysfunction' aspect of psychopathy that is characterized by lack of emotional responsiveness, are thought to be of genetic origin, but molecular genetic studies are yet to be undertaken. Gene variants that affect COMT, MAOA and 5HTT activity have previously been linked to antisocial behaviour. The aims of this study were to test whether these gene variants are linked to psychopathy traits in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Adolescents were followed up 5 years after an initial diagnosis of ADHD. Psychopathy trait scores were assessed [total scores and 'emotional dysfunction' (also referred to as 'affective') scores] and the MAOA 30-bp variable number of tandem repeats, SLC6A4 44-bp insertion/deletion and COMT Val158Met variants were genotyped. RESULTS: All three gene variants were associated with 'emotional dysfunction' scores. MAOA and 5HTT variants were associated with total psychopathy scores. The results were not explained by associated conduct disorder. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that specific gene variants influence psychopathy traits in ADHD.
OBJECTIVES: Psychopathy-related traits, especially those tapping the 'emotional dysfunction' aspect of psychopathy that is characterized by lack of emotional responsiveness, are thought to be of genetic origin, but molecular genetic studies are yet to be undertaken. Gene variants that affect COMT, MAOA and 5HTT activity have previously been linked to antisocial behaviour. The aims of this study were to test whether these gene variants are linked to psychopathy traits in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Adolescents were followed up 5 years after an initial diagnosis of ADHD. Psychopathy trait scores were assessed [total scores and 'emotional dysfunction' (also referred to as 'affective') scores] and the MAOA 30-bp variable number of tandem repeats, SLC6A4 44-bp insertion/deletion and COMTVal158Met variants were genotyped. RESULTS: All three gene variants were associated with 'emotional dysfunction' scores. MAOA and 5HTT variants were associated with total psychopathy scores. The results were not explained by associated conduct disorder. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that specific gene variants influence psychopathy traits in ADHD.
Authors: Angélica Salatino-Oliveira; Julia P Genro; Ana P Guimarães; Rodrigo Chazan; Cristian Zeni; Marcelo Schmitz; Guilherme Polanczyk; Tatiana Roman; Luis A Rohde; Mara H Hutz Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2012-01-21 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: Ashlee A Moore; Dever Carney; Elizabeth Moroney; Laura Machlin; Kenneth E Towbin; Melissa A Brotman; Daniel S Pine; Ellen Leibenluft; Roxann Roberson-Nay; John M Hettema Journal: Behav Genet Date: 2016-12-01 Impact factor: 2.805
Authors: Joseph C Blader; Steven R Pliszka; Vivian Kafantaris; Carmel A Foley; Judith A Crowell; Gabrielle A Carlson; Colin L Sauder; David M Margulies; Christa Sinha; Jeffrey Sverd; Thomas L Matthews; Brigitte Y Bailey; W Burleson Daviss Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2013-09-25 Impact factor: 8.829