Chunk #76 — III. Specific Genes for Aggressive Behavior: Findings from Molecular Genetic Studies — A. G × E interaction involving specific genes for aggressive behavior
A G × E interaction between the DRD2 A1 allele and risk-level in family environments has been suggested in a sample of adolescents with criminal offenses, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Ad-Health). Polymorphisms in genes related to the neurotransmitter dopamine were associated with age of first police contact and arrests, but only for youth from low-risk family environments. More specifically, among those adolescents with a history of criminal offending, those at greatest risk for later onset were those with the A1 allelic form of the DRD2 gene, in combination with favorable home environments as defined by maternal attachment, involvement, and engagement (DeLisi et al., 2008). It is important to emphasize that this finding involves the age of onset of first police contact and not the overall risk for offending versus not offending.
