Cited by 184Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorPsychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Genetic determinants of aggression and impulsivity in humans

Pavlov, Konstantin A., Chistiakov, Dimitry A., Chekhonin, Vladimir P.·2012·Journal of Applied Genetics

Abstract

Human aggression/impulsivity-related traits have a complex background that is greatly influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors. The relationship between aggression and anxiety is regulated by highly conserved brain regions including amygdala, which controls neural circuits triggering defensive, aggressive, or avoidant behavioral models. The dysfunction of neural circuits responsible for emotional control was shown to represent an etiological factor of violent behavior. In addition to the amygdala, these circuits also involve the anterior cingulated cortex and regions of the prefrontal cortex. Excessive reactivity in the amygdala coupled with inadequate prefrontal regulation serves to increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior. Developmental alterations in prefrontal-subcortical circuitry as well as neuromodulatory and hormonal abnormality appear to play a role. Imbalance in testosterone/serotonin and testosterone/cortisol ratios (e.g., increased testosterone levels and reduced cortisol levels) increases the propensity toward aggression because of reduced activation of the neural circuitry of impulse control and self-regulation. Serotonin facilitates prefrontal inhibition, and thus insufficient serotonergic activity can enhance aggression. Genetic predisposition to aggression appears to be deeply affected by the polymorphic genetic variants of the serotoninergic system that influences serotonin levels in the central and peripheral nervous system, biological effects of this hormone, and rate of serotonin production, synaptic release and degradation. Among these variants, functional polymorphisms in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) may be of particular importance due to the relationship between these polymorphic variants and anatomical changes in the limbic system of aggressive people. Furthermore, functional variants of MAOA and 5-HTT are capable of mediating the influence of environmental factors on aggression-related traits. In this review, we consider genetic determinants of human aggression, with special emphasis on genes involved in serotonin and dopamine metabolism and function.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s13353-011-0069-6

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  • Variations in OXT-related genes like OXTR, as well as DA-related genes, particularly SNPs, have been linked to social-emotional dysregulation, including aspects of social cognition, empathy, and aggression.

    “Variations in OXT-related genes like OXTR, as well as DA-related genes, particularly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been linked to social-emotional dysregulation, including aspects of social cognition, empathy, and aggression (Grinevich et al., 2016; Pav­ lov et al., 2012).”

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Authors
Pavlov, K. A., Chistiakov, D. A., & Chekhonin, V. P.
Affiliations
Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RU)
Corresponding author
Chistiakov, Dimitry A.
Venue
Journal of Applied Genetics
Published
2011-10-13
Volume
53
Issue
1
Pages
61-82
ISSN
  • 1234-1983 (ISSN-L)
  • 2190-3883
OpenAlex
W2055506273
Cited by
184
References
270
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
FWCI
1.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
aggression, impulsivity, genetic susceptibility, serotonin, dopamine, monoamine oxidase A, serotonin transporter, 5-HTT polymorphism, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, testosterone, cortisol, limbic system, violent behavior, gene-environment interaction, emotion regulation
MeSH terms
Aggression, Dopamine, Genetic Markers, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Monoamine Oxidase, Receptors, Estrogen, Serotonin, Sex Factors, Stress, Physiological, Testosterone, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Membrane Transport Proteins, Genetic Determinism, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins

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