Y haplogroups and aggressive behavior in a Pakistani ethnic group

Abstract

Studies show that personality dimensions such as aggression are influenced by genetic factors and that allelic variants located on the Y chromosome influence such behavior. We investigated polymorphisms on the male-specific region of the human Y chromosome in 156 unrelated males from the same ethnic background, who were administered the Punjabi translation of the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire that measures four aspects that constitute aggressive behavior, i.e. physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. A value of .85 for Cronbach's coefficient alpha indicates considerable internal consistency and suggests that the psychometric properties of the aggression questionnaire can be adapted for the Pakistani population. A mean score+/-SD of 69.70+/-19.95 was obtained for the questionnaire. Each individual was genotyped following a phylogenetic hierarchical approach to define evolutionary Y haplogroups. Five Y haplogroups that are commonly found in Eurasia and Pakistan comprised 87% (n=136) of the population sample, with one haplogroup, R1a1, constituting 55% of the sampled population. A comparison of the total and four subscale mean scores across the five common Y haplogroups that were present at a frequency > or =3% in this ethnic group revealed no overall significant differences. However, effect-size comparisons allowed us to detect an association of the haplogroups R2 (Cohen's d statistic=.448-.732) and R1a1 (d=.107-.448) with lower self-reported aggression mean scores in this population.

Y Chromosome, Mitochondrial DNA and Childhood Behavioural Traits

“…A previous study 22 found weak evidence of an association between Y chromosome haplogroups and autism and our findings are consistent with this. In a study of Y chromosome haplogroups and aggression in a cohort of men from Pakistan, there were no differences in mean scores of aggression across the five different haplogroups captured in the study 23 while there are reports of patients with Turner syndrome (XO) and Klinefelter syndrome (XXY) exhibiting higher rates of autism and there is weak evidence that individuals with 47, XYY syndrome have a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder and schizophrenia 13 , 15 . Mitochondrial DNA has been investigated in relation to schizophrenia 24 and bipolar disorder 25 although conclusions have been limited with small sample sizes and inconsistent reporting 26 .…”

Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups across behavioural traits in children from the general population

“…A previous study 15 found weak evidence of an association between Y chromosome haplogroups and autism and our findings are consistent with this. In a study of Y chromosome haplogroups and aggression in a cohort of men from Pakistan, there were no differences in mean scores of aggression across the five different haplogroups captured in the study 34 . Mitochondrial DNA has been investigated in relation to psychiatric disorders, although conclusions have been limited with small sample sizes and inconsistent reporting 19 .…”

Biological Basis for the Formation of Suicidal Behavior: A Review

“…MAOA polymorphisms, particularly those associated with low enzyme activity, may impair the body's capacity to regulate neurotransmitter levels, such as those of serotonin and dopamine. This may render individuals more susceptible to aggressive responses to stressful or traumatic events ( 65 ).…”