%0 Journal Article
%T GABA receptors, alcohol dependence and criminal behavior
%J Journal of forensic sciences
%D 2013
%A Terranova, Claudio
%A Tucci, Marianna
%A Sartore, Daniela
%A Cavarzeran, Fabiano
%A Di Pietra, Laura
%A Barzon, Luisa
%A Palù, Giorgio
%A Ferrara, Santo D.
%V 58
%N 5
%P 1227-1232
%X 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I John Wiley and Sons
%@ 0022-1198
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12201