Genetic Variants Allegedly Linked to Antisocial Behaviour Are Equally Distributed Across Different Populations

Emiliano Giardina,Valerio Caputo,Claudia Strafella,Michele Ragazzo,Carlo Caltagirone,Carlo Fabrizio,Stefania Zampatti,Andrea Termine,Raffaella Cascella,Giulia Campoli

doi:10.3390/jpm11030213

Abstract

Human behaviour is determined by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have demonstrated different associations between human behaviour and numerous genetic variants. In particular, allelic variants in SLC6A4, MAOA, DRD4, and DRD2 showed statistical associations with major depressive disorder, antisocial behaviour, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder; BDNF polymorphic variants were associated with depressive, bipolar, and schizophrenia diseases, and TPH2 variants were found both in people with unipolar depression and in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Independent studies have failed to confirm polymorphic variants associated with criminal and aggressive behaviour. In the present study, a set of genetic variants involved in serotoninergic, dopaminergic, and neurobiological pathways were selected from those previously associated with criminal behaviour. The distribution of these genetic variants was compared across worldwide populations. While data on single polymorphic variants showed differential distribution across populations, these differences failed to be significant when a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the total number of published variants. The lack of reproducibility of the genetic association data published to date, the weakness of statistical associations, the heterogeneity of the phenotype, and the massive influence of the environment on human behaviour do not allow us to consider these genetic variants as undoubtedly associated with antisocial behaviour. Moreover, these data confirm the absence of ethnic predisposition to aggressive and criminal behaviour.

Highlights

Human behaviour is determined by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors [1]
Several studies have been performed to decode the role of genetics in human behaviour, a systematic approach is complicated by different issues: (i) the extremely heterogeneous forms of behaviour disorders, (ii) the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and (iii) challenges in standardizing environmental influences for statistical purposes [4,5]
The current challenge involves the accurate interpretation of genetic data and the translation of research data into useful instruments for forensic purposes

Summary

Introduction

Human behaviour is determined by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors [1]. Several genetic studies have been performed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the development of human behaviour [3]. Human behaviour is influenced by several genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have been performed to decode the role of genetics in human behaviour, a systematic approach is complicated by different issues: (i) the extremely heterogeneous forms of behaviour disorders, (ii) the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and (iii) challenges in standardizing environmental influences for statistical purposes [4,5]. The external features involve family, friends, home, stress, workplace, and life experiences. The internal features involve nutrition and dietary intake, hormones, viruses, bacteria, toxins, and molecules that can modify growth in pre- and post-natal life [6]

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Conclusion