The aim of the present study is to explore whether gene–environment interaction in disinhibition pathways is moderated by gender. To accomplish this, two- and three-way interactions between gender, positive and negative daily life events, and genotype at GABRA2 SNP rs279871 are examined. GABRA2 is an ideal candidate gene for examining genetic influences in disinhibition pathways because it plays a major role in impulsivity (Villafuerte et al. 2012). GABRA2 encodes the production of the alpha 2 subunit of the GABA-A receptor protein and influences hyperexcit-ability and the effectiveness of inhibitory processors in the brain (Begleiter and Porjesz 1999; Edenberg et al. 2004). Single nucleotide polymorphisms at GABRA2 are associated with increased risk for alcohol and drug dependence in adulthood, as well as conduct disorder and externalizing behaviors in childhood (Agrawal et al. 2006; Dick et al. 2006a, 2009; Edenberg et al. 2004; Enoch et al. 2010; Philibert et al. 2009). GABRA2 is thought to influence emotional reactivity and the inhibition or facilitation of rash or ill-considered behaviors (Kreek et al. 2005).
