Consequently, we examined how serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) polymorphisms, monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) variants, and childhood abuse measured with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire relate to dimensions of psychopathy in a forensic sample of 237 men with elevated levels of environmental adversity.
Regression analysis revealed that after controlling for age, which was negatively related to socialization score, 5-HTTLPR genotype interacted with sex to determine socialization score (P < 0.001).Males with the L'L' genotype (i.e. those homozygous for the L(A) allele) had lower socialization scores (i.e. greater sociopathy) than males who were carriers of the S' allele (P = 0.03).
Our results supported that, in addition to the widely investigated 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, the 5-HTTVNTR polymorphism might be an interesting candidate for association studies with APD.
Monoamine oxidase (MAOA) and the serotonin transporter (5HTT) are reviewed at length, as these genes have received significant scientific attention in recent years and are sites of high biological plausibility in antisocial spectrum disorders and psychopathy.
Previous studies have indicated associations between a functional biallelic repetitive element in the 5' regulatory region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and alcoholic subjects who have either dissocial personality disorder or severe withdrawal symptoms.
The results suggest that the 5-HTT 'S' promoter polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for early onset alcoholism associated with antisocial personality disorder and impulsive, habitually violent behavior.