Citation

Peeters DGA, Lange WG, von Borries AKL, Franke B, Volman I, Homberg JR, Verkes RJ, Roelofs K. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 2020; 14: e562098.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Frontiers Research Foundation)

DOI

10.3389/fnbeh.2020.562098

PMID

33132858 PMCID

Abstract

The short (S) allele of the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism has been linked to reactive aggression in men, but this association is less consistent in females. Reactive aggression has been particularly described as a result of fear-driven defense to threat, but how this interaction between defensive behavior and aggression is expressed in S-allele carriers remains unknown. In order to explore this interplay between 5-HTTLPR genotype, defensive behavior and reactive aggression, we combined genotyping with objective measures of action tendencies toward angry faces in an approach-avoidance task (AAT) and reactive aggression in the Taylor aggression paradigm (TAP) in healthy females, N = 95. This study shows that female S-allele carriers in general display increased implicit reactive aggression (administering aversive white noise) toward opponents. Furthermore, we found that threat-avoidance tendencies moderate the association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and aggression displayed on the TAP. Together, these findings indicate a positive correlation between avoidance of angry faces in the AAT and reactive aggression in the TAP exclusively present in S-allele carriers.

Language: en

Keywords

aggression; 5-HTTLPR; approach-avoidance task; serotonin; Taylor aggression paradigm