Association of Polymorphisms of Serotonin Transporter (5HTTLPR) and 5-HT2C Receptor Genes with Criminal Behavior in Russian Criminal Offenders

Abstract

Background: Human aggression is a heterogeneous behavior with biological, psychological, and social backgrounds. As the biological mechanisms that regulate aggression are components of both reward-seeking and adversity-fleeing behavior, these phenomena are difficult to disentangle into separate neurochemical processes. Nevertheless, evidence exists linking some forms of aggression to aberrant serotonergic neurotransmission. We determined possible associations between 6 serotonergic neurotransmission-related gene variants and severe criminal offenses. Methods: Male Russian prisoners who were convicted for murder (n = 117) or theft (n = 77) were genotyped for variants of the serotonin transporter (5HTTLPR), tryptophan hydroxylase, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase, or type 2C (5-HT2C) receptor genes and compared with general-population male controls (n = 161). Prisoners were psychologically phenotyped using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: No differences were found between murderers and thieves either concerning genotypes or concerning psychological measures. Comparison of polymorphism distribution between groups of prisoners and controls revealed highly significant associations of 5HTTLPR and 5-HTR2C (rs6318) gene polymorphisms with being convicted for criminal behavior. Conclusions: The lack of biological differences between the 2 groups of prisoners indicates that the studied 5HT-related genes do not differentiate between the types of crimes committed.

Association of serotonin system-related genes with homicidal behavior and criminal aggression in a prison population of Pakistani Origin

“…Low heart rate and 5-HTTLPR L/L genotype were associated with higher arrest rates for violence in an incarcerated sample of American men 75 . Other psychopathologies in a violent population, such as depression, were also reported to be associated with both the L allele and L/L genotype of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in Russian criminal offenders 21 .…”

“…Therefore, genes of serotonin system are candidate genetic determinants of antisocial behavior including aggression and criminal aggression [18][19][20] . Surprisingly few studies have examined the role of serotonergic gene variants in aggression or criminal aggression including homicide [21][22][23] .…”

Forensic Value of Genetic Variants Associated with Anti-Social Behavior

“…The serotoninergic system plays a major role in the regulation of emotions such as fear, anger and anxiety [ 34 ]. Toshchakova et al found a statistically significant association between criminal behavior and polymorphisms of 5HTTLPR (a region inside the gene–SLC6A4–that codes for serotonin transporter) ( p = 0.004) and 5HTR2C (that codes for a subtype of serotonin receptor) ( p = 0.0026) [ 35 ]. Liao et al have found a statistically significant association between violent behavior and the presence of a low-activity short allele of 5HTTLPR ( p = 0.006) [ 36 ].…”

The Basis For A Neurobiological-Associative Model of Personality and Group Cohesion: The Evolutionary And System Biological Origins Of Social Exclusion, Hierarchy, and Structure

“…Although dopamine receptor binding relative to transporter expression has not yet been investigated for dopamine, the hypothesis of lower transporter activity relating to lower receptor sensitivity is suggested based on evidence from the serotonin system, as evidenced for the 5-HT1A (David et al, 2005) and 5-HT2A (Rioux et al, 1999) serotonin receptors relative to SERT expression. Further, the contribution of dopamine to interpersonal aggression is similar to that of serotonin, with an increased prevalence of low DAT1 (Qadeer et al, 2017) and SERT (Toshchakova et al, 2018) expression in violent criminals relative to the general population and other criminals.…”