An Analysis of Monoamine-Related Genotypes and Childhood Trauma in Relation to Psychopathic Traits in Men and Women

Abstract

Psychopathy is of great interest to criminologists, given its consistent association with violence, offending, and antisocial behavior. However, the etiology of psychopathy, particularly in terms of a gene × environment (G×E) interaction, has had little examination in the literature. One study has examined the direct and interactive effects of two genotypes (MAOA, 5-HTT) and childhood trauma on psychopathic traits using a high-risk forensic sample of adult males, and identified G×E interactions that may help us understand this complex phenotype. However, given the difficulties replicating G×E research, particularly with antisocial phenotypes, this study conducts a replication and expansion of prior research by examining direct and interactive effects of three genotypes (MAOA, 5-HTT, DRD4) and childhood trauma on psychopathy using a high-risk community sample of males and females. Results only partially support prior findings, illustrating the need for additional replication research in the biopsychosocial and epigenetic arenas.