
Am J Psychiatry 163:1103-1105, June 2006
doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.163.6.1103
© 2006 American Psychiatric Association
Serotonin Transporter Polymorphisms and Persistent, Pervasive Childhood Aggression
Joseph H. Beitchman, M.D.,
Lidia Baldassarra, B.H.Sc.,
Helene Mik, B.A. Hons.,
Vincenzo De Luca, M.D.,
Nicole King, B.Sc. Hons.,
Danielle Bender, M.A.,
Sahar Ehtesham, B.Sc. Hons., and
James L. Kennedy, M.D.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential association of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene and childhood aggression by testing the 5-HTT variable-number-tandem-repeat and serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR), including the recently discovered Lg allelic variant of 5-HTTLPR. METHOD: Clinically referred children displaying extreme aggression, with a minimum 2-year history, were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR (N=77) and 5-HTT variable-number-tandem-repeat (N=78). Analyses compared genotype frequencies of the agressive children with healthy comparison subjects. RESULTS: The "low expressing" genotypic variants of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (S/S, Lg/S, Lg/Lg) were significantly associated with childhood aggression. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report a significant association between the 5-HTTLPR gene and childhood aggression.
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