Jakubczyk A, Krasowska A, Bugaj M, Kopera M, Klimkiewicz A, Łoczewska A, Michalska A, Majewska A, Szejko N, Podgórska A, Sołowiej M, Markuszewski L, Jakima S, Płoski R, Brower K, Wojnar M. J. Sex. Med. 2016; 14(1): 125-133.
Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
INTRODUCTION: Rape and pedophilic child molestation are the most commonly convicted sexual offenses in Poland. Recent studies have suggested a possible genetic contribution toward pathologic sexual interests and behaviors.
AIM: To analyze and compare functional polymorphisms of genes associated with the activity of the serotonin and dopamine systems in a group of paraphilic sexual offenders and control subjects.
METHODS: The study sample (n = 97) consisted of two groups: paraphilic sexual offenders (65 pedophilic child molesters and 32 rapists) and controls (n = 76). Genetic polymorphisms previously associated with behavioral control, addictive behaviors, and sexual functions were chosen for analyses. Specifically, functional polymorphisms in dopamine receptors genes (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4), catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT), dopamine transporter gene (DAT), serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), serotonin type 2A receptor gene (5HTR2A), tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2), monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An association between a history of sexual offense and the distribution of genotypes and alleles in the analyzed polymorphisms.
RESULTS: Our results found no association between a history of sexual offense and the distribution of genotypes or alleles in the analyzed polymorphisms.
CONCLUSION: Although these results are limited by the small sample and are exploratory, they highlight a novel approach to sample selection in a population that is difficult to access and study. Future research should include larger samples and other relevant polymorphisms to advance this field of study.