GABA Receptors, Alcohol Dependence and Criminal Behavior
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]
Search for more papers by this authorMarianna Tucci Ph.D.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorDaniela Sartore M.D.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFabiano Cavarzeran M.Sc.
Department of Neuroscience, University Hospital of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLaura Di Pietra M.D.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLuisa Barzon A.P.
Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiorgio Palù F.P.
Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorSanto D. Ferrara F.P.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding 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]
Search for more papers by this authorMarianna Tucci Ph.D.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorDaniela Sartore M.D.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorFabiano Cavarzeran M.Sc.
Department of Neuroscience, University Hospital of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLaura Di Pietra M.D.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorLuisa Barzon A.P.
Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorGiorgio Palù F.P.
Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorSanto D. Ferrara F.P.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
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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