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Behavioral genetics in antisocial spectrum disorders and psychopathy: A review of the recent literature
Author(s) -
Gunter Tracy D.,
Vaughn Michael G.,
Philibert Robert A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.923
Subject(s) - psychopathy , behavioural genetics , antisocial personality disorder , psychology , twin study , heritability , genetics , clinical psychology , psychiatry , neuroscience , biology , poison control , developmental psychology , medicine , personality , injury prevention , social psychology , environmental health
Abstract Behavioral geneticists are increasingly using the tools of molecular genetics to extend upon discoveries from twin, family, and adoption studies concerning the heritability of antisocial spectrum disorders and psychopathy. While there is a substantial body of research concerning antisocial spectrum disorders in the behavioral genetics literature, only a few studies could be located using the phenotype of psychopathy. In this report we summarize some of the recent molecular genetics work concerning antisocial spectrum disorders and psychopathy, with a focus on genes involved in the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways, while also mentioning some of the novel genetic factors being considered. Monoamine oxidase (MAOA) and the serotonin transporter (5HTT) are reviewed at length, as these genes have received significant scientific attention in recent years and are sites of high biological plausibility in antisocial spectrum disorders and psychopathy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.