Dec 16 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Anti-social behaviour is linked to genes: Study
Kounteya Sinha
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London
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Swedish researchers have found for the first time that people are genetically predisposed to anti-social behaviour.Both positive and negative experiences influence how genetic variants affect the brain, and thereby, behaviour. “Evidence is accumulating to show that the effects of variants of many genes that are common in the population depend on environmental factors.
Further, these genetic variants affect each other,” said Sheilagh Hodgins of the University of Montreal and its affiliated Institut Universitaire en Sante Mentale de Montreal. “About 25% of Caucasian men carry the less active variant of MAOA. Among them those who experience physical abuse in childhood are more likely than those who are not abused to display serious antisocial behaviour from childhood through adulthood,” Hodgins said.
“Among females it is the high activity variant of the MAOA gene that interacts with adversity in childhood to increase the likelihood of antisocial behaviour,” he added.
Further, these genetic variants affect each other,” said Sheilagh Hodgins of the University of Montreal and its affiliated Institut Universitaire en Sante Mentale de Montreal. “About 25% of Caucasian men carry the less active variant of MAOA. Among them those who experience physical abuse in childhood are more likely than those who are not abused to display serious antisocial behaviour from childhood through adulthood,” Hodgins said.
“Among females it is the high activity variant of the MAOA gene that interacts with adversity in childhood to increase the likelihood of antisocial behaviour,” he added.
