Looking for reward in all the wrong places: dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms indirectly affect aggression through sensation-seeking

Abstract

Individuals with genotypes that code for reduced dopaminergic brain activity often exhibit a predisposition towards aggression. However, it remains largely unknown how dopaminergic genotypes may increase aggression. Lower-functioning dopamine systems motivate individuals to seek reward from external sources such as illicit drugs and other risky experiences. Based on emerging evidence that aggression is a rewarding experience, we predicted that the effect of lower-functioning dopaminergic functioning on aggression would be mediated by tendencies to seek the environment for rewards. Caucasian female and male undergraduates (N = 277) were genotyped for five polymorphisms of the Dopamine D2 Receptor (DRD2) gene, reported their previous history of aggression, and their dispositional reward-seeking. Lower-functioning DRD2 profiles were associated with greater sensation-seeking, which then predicted greater aggression. Our findings suggest that lower-functioning dopaminergic activity puts individuals at risk for violence because it motivates them to experience aggression’s hedonically rewarding qualities.

An emerging role for the lateral habenula in aggressive behavior

“…Consequently, repeated domination of social targets is positively reinforcing and can produce a persistent motivation to seek out and engage in aggressive interactions (appetitive aggression), much like how some individuals compulsively seek out palatable food, sex, or drugs (Moran et al 2014, Golden et al 2016a). Interestingly, the ventral striatum, a region highly implicated in drug and natural rewards, is strongly activated in some humans while viewing videos of violence or participating in behavioral tasks aimed at punishing others (Moran et al 2014, Chester et al 2016, Seo et al 2008). Findings in rodent models corroborate these results and describe a particularly important role for dopamine and serotonin signaling in controlling appetitive aggression (de Almeida et al 2005).…”

Reciprocal moderation by Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and blood phenylalanine – tyrosine ratio of their associations with trait aggression

“…Genetic polymorphisms involved in altered dopamine receptor and transporter activities as well as enzymes involved in the metabolism of dopamine have been identified in association with aggression in humans and animals [65, 66]. The direction of the relationship between dopamine and aggression is far from unequivocal.…”

The Role of Positive Affect in Aggression

“…Indeed, sensation-seeking, positive urgency, and behavioral approach are all positively associated with aggressiveness (Chester, DeWall, Derefinko et al, 2016;Miller, Zeichner, & Wilson, 2012). The tendency to find aggression pleasant may itself be a personality trait.…”

“…Genotypes that regulate levels of reward-modulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are associated with aggressive behavior (Chester, DeWall, Derefinko et al, 2016;.…”