Volume 58, Issue 5 pp. 1227-1232
Paper

GABA Receptors, Alcohol Dependence and Criminal Behavior

Claudio Terranova M.D.

Corresponding Author

Claudio Terranova M.D.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy

Additional information and reprint requests:

Claudio Terranova, M.D.

Forensic Toxicology Unit – Legal Medicine Unit

Department of Molecular Medicine

University Hospital of Padova

Via Falloppio 50

35121 Padova

Italy

E-mail: [email protected]

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Marianna Tucci Ph.D.

Marianna Tucci Ph.D.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy

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Daniela Sartore M.D.

Daniela Sartore M.D.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy

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Fabiano Cavarzeran M.Sc.

Fabiano Cavarzeran M.Sc.

Department of Neuroscience, University Hospital of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy

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Laura Di Pietra M.D.

Laura Di Pietra M.D.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy

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Luisa Barzon A.P.

Luisa Barzon A.P.

Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy

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Giorgio Palù F.P.

Giorgio Palù F.P.

Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy

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Santo D. Ferrara F.P.

Santo D. Ferrara F.P.

Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy

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First published: 03 July 2013
Citations: 12

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the connection between alcohol dependence and criminal behavior by an integrated genetic–environmental approach. The research, structured as a case–control study, examined 186 alcohol-dependent males; group 1 (N = 47 convicted subjects) was compared with group 2 (N = 139 no previous criminal records). Genetic results were innovative, highlighting differences in genotype distribution (p = 0.0067) in group 1 for single-nucleotide polymorphism rs 3780428, located in the intronic region of subunit 2 of the GABA B receptor gene (GABBR2). Some environmental factors (e.g., grade repetition) were associated with criminal behavior; others (e.g., attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous) were inversely related to convictions. The concomitant presence of the genetic and environmental factors found to be associated with the condition of alcohol-dependent inmate showed a 4-fold increase in the risk of antisocial behavior. The results need to be replicated on a larger population to develop new preventive and therapeutic proposals.

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