抑郁症患者自杀行为与色氨酸羟化酶基因及单胺氧化酶A基因多态性的关联研究

目的:探讨抑郁症患者自杀行为与色氨酸羟化酶(TPH)、单胺氧化酶A(MAOA)基因多态性的相关性. 方法:符合中国精神障碍分类与诊断标准第3版抑郁症诊断标准患者212例,汉密尔顿抑郁量表评分≥17分,其中64例患者有自杀或自杀未遂行为(有自杀行为组),148例患者无自杀行为(无自杀行为组).采用聚合酶链式反应扩增及限制性片段长度多态性技术检测TPH、MAOA基因多态性,与抑郁症患者自杀行为进行关联分析. 结果:TPH基因型频数和等位基因频率上有自杀行为组与无自杀行为组差异有统计学意义(x2=6.058,P=0.048;x2=4.774,P=0.029),有自杀行为组A/A基因型和等位基因A频率分布显著高于无自杀行为组(P＜0.05).MAOA基因型频数和等位基因频率上有自杀行为组与无自杀行为组差异无统计学意义(x2=0.922,0.898;P均＞0.05). 结论:TPH基因多态性与抑郁症患者的自杀行为存在关联,MAOA基因多态性与抑郁症患者自杀行为可能无关联.     

中国汉族人群5-羟色胺转运体基因多态性与非病灶性颞叶癫痫的关联性

目的　初步探讨颞叶癫痫(temporal lobe epilepsy,TLE)的遗传易感因素。方法　采用聚合酶链反应技术,检测263例TLE患者和296名健康对照者的5-羟色胺转运体(5-hydroxytryptamine transporter,5-HTT) 基因启动子的基因连锁多态区(gene-linked polymorphic region,LPR) 和第2内含子的可变数目串联重复区(variable number tandem repeat,VNTR) 多态性,分别对所得基因型和等位基因的频率进行相关统计学分析。结果　TLE患者5-HTTLPR多态性的基因型和等位基因频率与正常对照组之间的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。TLE患者的5-HTTVNTR的基因型12/12频率高于正常对照组(P<0.01),其等位基因12的频率高于正常对照组(P< 0.01)。携12等位基因者患TLE的相对危险度(OR)是1.435,95%可信区间(CI)为1.096～1.880(P<0.05)。 结论　5-HTTLPR可能不是TLE患者的遗传位点,第2内含子VNTR的等位基因12可能与TLE有一定的关联。     

5-羟色胺转运体基因多态与共患学习困难的儿童注意缺陷多动障碍的相关性

目的探讨共患学习困难(LD)的注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)患儿与5-羟色胺转运体(5-HTT)基因连锁多态区(5-HTTLPR)和第2内含子17 bp数目可变的顺向重复(stin2.VNTR)的关联关系。方法对126例共患LD的ADHD患儿和198例不共患LD的ADHD患儿的5-HTTLPR和stin2.VNTR两种多态进行检测,并采用传递不平衡检测(TDT)和单体型分析方法进行关联分析。结果(1)TDT检测:5-HTTLPR多态的S等位基因在共患LD的ADHD和ADHD混合型(ADHD-C)核心家系中优先传递(X2=5.831和5.281,P=0.015和0.020);所有家系均未观察到stin2.VNTR多态中的任何等位基因有传递不平衡现象(均P>0.05);(2)单体型分析:5-HTT基因与共患LD的ADHD和ADHD-C相关联(X2=11.391和13.343,v=3,P=0.010和P=0.004);单体型L／12在共患LD的ADHD和ADHD-C核心家系中传递较少(X2=10.317和8.948,v=1,P=0.001和0.003),而单体型L／10在共患LD的ADHD核心家系中传递较多(X2=4.065,v=1,P=0.044)。结论5-HTT基因可能与共患LD的ADHD相关联,其中主要为共患LD的ADHD-C亚型。     

卒中后抑郁患者多巴胺代谢系统COMT和DAT基因多态性分析

目的 探讨多巴胺递质代谢相关蛋白儿茶酚氧位甲基转移酶(COMT)Val108/158Met、多巴胺转运体(DAT)40bp可变数目串联重复多态(VNTR)两位点基因多态性与卒中后抑郁(PSD)的关系.方法 选择南方医科大学珠江医院神经内科自2010年1月至2010年6月收治的PSD患者68例作为研究组,同期脑卒中后无抑郁患者91例作为对照组,利用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术分析患者COMT Val108/158Met、DAT 40 bp VNTR位点的基因多态性.结果 COMT基因扩增产物分野生型(G/G)、突变纯合型(A/A)、杂合型(A/G)3种基因型,DAT基因扩增产物分7/7、9/7、10/7、10/9、10/10、11/10、11/11倍重复7种基因型;2组患者COMT等位基因、基因型分布比较差异均有统计学意义(x2=5.703,P=0.017;x2=6.489,P=0.039).研究组男性患者与对照组男性患者之间比较,COMT等位基因、基因型的分布差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);研究组女性患者与对照组女性患者之间比较,COMT等位基因、基因型的分布差异均有统计学意义(x2=4.610,P=0.032;x2=6.547,P=0.024);研究组与对照组患者DAT等位基因和基因型的总体分布、杂合度比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 COMT Val108/158Met基因多态性与PSD发生可能有相关性,而DAT40 bp VNTR基因多态性与PSD发生无明显相关性.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the association of post-stroke depression (PSD) with gene polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) Val1 08/158Met and dopamine transporter 40bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in dopamine metabolism system. Methods Sixty-eight patients with PSD and 91 patients only suffered from stroke, admitted to our hospital from January 2010to June 2010, were chosen; the gene polymorphisms ofCOMT Val108/158Met and DAT 40 bp VNTR were analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results The genotypes of COMT gene amplifications were wild type (G/G),homozygous mutant type (A/A) and heterozygous type (A/G); 7 repeated genotypes (7/7, 9/7, 10/7, 10/9,10/10, 11/10 and 11/11) were noted in the DA T gene amplifications; frequencies of COMT alleles and genotypes were significantly different between the 2 groups (x2=5.703, P=0.017;x2=6.489, P=0.039). The frequencies of COMT alleles and genotypes were significantly different between the 2 female groups (x2=4.610, P=0.032;x2=6.547, P=0.024), but no significant differences were found between the 2 male groups (P＞0.05). The frequencies and heterozygosity of DAT alleles and genotypes showed no obvious differences between the 2 groups (P＞0.05). Conclusion The gene polymorphism of COMT Val108/158Met may be associated with PSD, while that of DAT 40bp VNTR is not.     

青少年抑郁症5-羟色胺转运体基因多态性与疗效的相关研究

目的 在汉族抑郁症青少年中探索5-羟色胺转运体(5-HTT)基因多态与5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂(SSRIs)疗效的关系.方法 研究对象为来自上海市精神卫生中心门诊及病房、符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第四版(DSM-Ⅳ)抑郁症诊断标准、且接受SSRIs治疗的青少年抑郁症患者,平均年龄(15.9±1.7)岁,共有76例患者入组,脱落11例;于入组时和SSRIs治疗第2、4、6周末分别进行17项汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD17)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评定.应用PCR及PCR-RFLP技术对入组患者进行5-HTTLPR、5-HTT3'UTR多态基因分型.结果 SSRIs治疗有效组患者和无效组患者在5-HTTLPR多态及5-HTT3'UTR多态的基因型频率分布无明显差异(χ2=0.12,P=0.94;χ2=0.91,P=0.63)、等位基因频率分布也无明显差异(χ2=0.03,P=0.88;χ2=0.73,P=0.43).结论 在中国汉族青少年抑郁症患者群中5-HTTLPR、5-HTT3'UTR多态可能与SSRIs抗抑郁疗效之间无明显关联.     

肿瘤坏死因子-α C863A、T1031C基因多态与缺血性脑卒中的相关性研究

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)C863A、T1031C基因多态与缺血性脑卒中(IS)的关系.方法 共收集150例IS患者和110例对照者,应用聚合酶链反应一限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法检测TNF-α基因C863A、T1031C多态性.x2检验分析比较基因型和等位基因频率的差异,多元Logistic回归分析方法分析各种危险因素对IS的影响.结果 IS组和对照组在-863位点CA+AA基因型频率分别为0.387和0.255,比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.004,P=0.025),IS组A等位基因频率亦高于对照组,比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.176,P=0.023).按性别分组后,发现男性IS组CA+AA基因型频率和A等位基因频率均明显高于对照组,比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=7.968,p=0.005;χ2=7.557,P=0.006).-1031位点多态TC+CC基因型和C等位基因在IS组和对照组差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.463,P=0.226;χ2=2.849,P=0.091).多元Logistic回归分析显示TNF-α C863A多态是IS的独立危险因素(P=0.022,OR=1.846,95%CI:1.075～3.169).结论 TNF-α C863A多态与老年IS有相关性,可能是IS危险因素之一,T1031C基因多态与IS无相关.     

5-羟色胺转运体基因多态性与精神分裂症的相关性研究

目的：探讨中国汉族人群中5一羟色胺转运体（5-HTT）基因与精神分裂症之间的相关性。方法：189例符合中国精神障碍分类与诊断标准第3版及美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版精神分裂症诊断标准的患者（患者组）使用聚合酶链式反应扩增5-HTT基因的启动子区（5-HTrLPR）位点和内含子区（5-HTTVNTR）位点,以琼脂糖凝胶电泳分离法进行基因分型,并和300名正常人（正常对照组）进行对照。结果：患者组与正常对照组之间5-HTTLPR位点L／L、L／S和S／S基因型频率以及等位基因L、s频率分布上差异具有统计学意义（x2=47．882,x2=44．188;P〈0．01或P〈0．001）;5-HTTVNTR位点12／12、12／10、10／10基因型频率和等位基因10、12频率分布上差异无统计学意义（X2=0．335,X。=0．051;P均〉0．05）。结论：S／S基因型及S等位基因可能是精神分裂症患者的易感等位基因;5-HT．TVNTR位点在中国汉族人群精神分裂症发病机制中可能不起主要作用。     

内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因第4内含子基因多态与福建汉族脑血管病的相关性

目的 研究福建汉族人内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS)基因第4内含子27 bp可变串联重复序列(variable number of tandem repeat,VNTR)与脑血管病关系.方法 依据缺血性卒中TOAST(Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment)分型收集132例大动脉粥样硬化性卒中(large artery atherosclerosis,LAA),63例腔隙性脑梗死(lacunar infarction,LI)及62例高血压性脑出血患者为病例组,同时选择年龄、性别匹配的237名健康者为对照组,采用聚合酶链反应结合2%琼脂糖电泳技术检测eNOS基因第4号内含子27 bp VNTR的多态性.结果 正常福建汉族人eNOS基因第4内含子除bb,ab,aa基因型外,尚出现罕见的bc基因型,其基因型频率分别为0.789,0.203,0.004,0.004;b、a、c等位基因频率分别为.892,0.106及0.002.LAA及LI患者27 bp VNTR多态与对照组差别无统计学意义,LAA组bc基因型频率(0.030)虽明显高于对照组(0.004),但差异无统计学意义;缺血性卒中伴/不伴高血压病与该基因多态无相关性.高血压性脑出血患者的aa基因型频率为0.048.明显高于bb+ab基因型(OR=11.42,95% CI:1.209-117.892,P<0.05).结论 eNOS第4内含子aa基因型可能是福建汉族人高血压性脑出血的遗传危险因素,但该位点多态性与福建汉族LAA及LI无相关性.     

帕金森病患者PINK1 LRRK2基因单核苷酸多态性分析

目的探讨PINK1基因rs45530340位点及LRRK2基因rs1491942位点单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)与淮海地区汉族人群晚发散发性帕金森病(Parkinson’s disease,PD)的相关性。方法收集152例晚发散发性PD患者和160例年龄和性别相匹配的健康对照者,入组者均来自淮海地区汉族人群。提取外周血全基因组DNA,应用聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)技术扩增包含多态位点的目的基因片段,通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳(AGE)检测PCR产物。对PCR产物分别用DNA限制性内切酶NlalV和SmlI进行酶切,用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)、硝酸银染色检测酶切产物,采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP)技术分析基因型,计算所有研究对象两个SNP位点的基因型频率和等位基因频率。结果 (1)PINK1基因rs45530340位点基因型和等位基因在晚发散发性PD组和正常对照组中的分布无统计学差异(基因型:χ2=1.572,P=0.456;等位基因:χ2=1.318,P=0.251)。(2)LRRK2基因rs1491942位点基因型和等位基因在晚发散发性PD组与正常对照组中的分布差异有统计学意义(基因型:χ2=6.802,P=0.033;等位基因C:χ2=7.448,P=0.006,OR=1.571,95%CI=1.135~2.176)。结论 (1)PINK1基因rs45530340多态位点可能不是淮海地区汉族人群晚发散发性PD患者的危险因素。(2)LRRK2基因rs1491942多态位点C等位基因可能是淮海地区汉族人群晚发散发性PD患者的危险因素。     

基质金属蛋白酶-12血清水平及启动子区-82A/G多态性与急性动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死的关系

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶-12(MMP-12)血清水平及启动子基因- 82A/G多态性与动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死的关系.方法 对608例动脉粥样硬化脑梗死和374名健康体检者进行研究,采用ELISA法测定血清MMP-12蛋白水平,同时采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法分析MMP-12基因启动子区- 82A/G多态性.结果 脑梗死组患者48 h内血清MMP-12为(17.36±9.12) ng/ml,对照组为(17.42±7.70) ng/ml,两组比较差异无统计学意义(t=0.047,P=0.962).脑梗死组AG+ GG基因型频率为7.6％,与对照组的5.9％基因型频率比较差异无统计学意义(x2 =0.281,P=0.584),G等位基因频率在两组间分别为3.8％和2.9％,两组比较差异同样无统计学意义(x2=0.746,P=0.374).结论 MMP-12血清水平及基因启动子- 82位点的多态与MMP-12基因表达和脑梗死没有相关性.     

Association study of androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism and male violent criminal activity

Androgens exert their effects primarily by stimulating androgen receptors (ARs) and androgen activity has been implicated in antisocial or violent criminal behaviour. Exon 1 of the AR gene contains a highly polymorphic glutamine (CAG) repeat sequence. We tested the hypothesis that shorter AR CAG repeat polymorphisms, which have a greater AR gene expression, are related to violent criminal activity in Chinese males using a sample of 146 extremely violent criminals and 108 normal controls. The results show no association between the AR repeat length and violent convicts, although we found that there are more violent-criminal cases than control cases with the shorter (<17) AR gene trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms (7.5% vs. 1.9%; P=0.047). No correlation was found between the AR CAG repeat length and the first criminal record age in the violent-criminal group. The mean AR repeat length is not significantly different between substance dependence cases and antisocial personality disorder diagnosis in the violent criminals and normal controls. Our findings suggest that the AR CAG repeat polymorphism does not play a major role in the susceptibility of male violent criminal activity.     

Serum testosterone levels, mental disorders and criminal behaviour.

OBJECTIVE: Although previous studies have revealed an association between androgens and aggression, there is a lack of knowledge of this issue in different mental disorders. METHOD: The associations between serum testosterone levels and criminal behaviour in different mental disorders were examined using data collected from forensic psychiatric male patients (20 schizophrenics and 42 subjects with personality disorders). RESULTS: Male criminals with personality disorders had significantly higher serum levels of total and free testosterone than criminal schizophrenics. Among schizophrenics, total (P=0.01) and free testosterone (P=0.01) declined significantly more with age compared to healthy controls and patients with personality disorders, and also correlated with duration of neuroleptic drug use (r=-0.60, P=0.000 for total and r=-0.46, P=0.0001 for free testosterone). The recidivists with personality disorder had higher total (P=0.04) and free testosterone (P=0.05) levels than non-recidivists with personality disorder. CONCLUSION: Personality disordered criminals with multiple offences had high serum testosterone levels. The low testosterone concentrations among schizophrenics may be due either to long-term use of neuroleptic agents or to the mental illness itself and its possible inhibition of the pituitary-gonadal axis.     

Personality traits and platelet monoamine oxidase activity in a Swedish male criminal population

BACKGROUND: A Swedish male criminal population was grouped into personality disorder subgroups and investigated with regard to personality traits and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. The main aim of the study was to examine the possibility of a risk factor combination by having low platelet MAO activity as well as belonging to a certain diagnostic DSM-IV axis I (drug abuse in the present series) and/or II subgroup. METHODS: Personality disorders were grouped into clusters according to the cluster system used in DSM-IV axis II. The prisoners were grouped into five subgroups and each subject completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality self-report questionnaire. The comparison group for the personality data comprised 51 non-criminal males from a longitudinal Swedish project. Platelet MAO activity was assessed for the criminals as well as for a control group including 60 non-criminal healthy male Caucasians. For testing the existence of syndromes, a configuration frequency analysis (CFA) was used. RESULTS: The results showed low scores on the socialisation and high scores on the sensation seeking-related traits impulsiveness and monotony avoidance, and the somatic anxiety-related muscular tension in the criminals with any DSM-IV mental disorder, however most markedly in cluster AB and cluster B subjects. In addition, cluster AB subjects had significantly lower platelet MAO activity than controls. Two significant 'types' were found among the criminals: one was characterised by low platelet MAO activity, cluster B personality diagnosis as well as drug abuse disorder diagnosis; and the other by a pattern of normal platelet MAO activity, no cluster B personality disorder and no drug abuse disorder diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The aggregation of certain risk factors in the same individual has been shown to contribute to the development of criminal behaviour.     

Childhood trauma history and dissociative experiences among Turkish men diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder

Objective This study investigated the association between antisocial personality disorder (APD), childhood trauma history, and dissociative symptoms in a sample of Turkish recruits. Methods A total of 579 male patients diagnosed with APD were examined in a military hospital setting. An age and gender matched control group of 599 normal persons with no known medical or psychiatric disorder were also chosen among military personnel. The subjects were evaluated with an assessment battery using a semi-structured interview for socio-demographic characteristics, APD section of SCID-II, an adapted version of the Structured Trauma Interview, and Dissociative Experiences Scale. Results Childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and early separation from parents were significantly more common among antisocial subjects than among controls. APD group reported significantly more dissociative symptoms and 50.4% of them reported pathological level of dissociation. Overwhelming childhood experiences of all four types were significant predictor of the APD diagnosis. Analyses also showed that childhood traumatic events and comorbid psychopathological features relevant to antisocial personality were significantly associated with pathological level of dissociation. Conclusion These results revealed the importance of inquiring about patient’s history of childhood traumatization and dissociative experiences when diagnosed with APD.     

Association between dopamine receptor D3 gene BalI polymorphism and cognitive impulsiveness in alcohol-dependent men.

The gene coding for the dopamine receptor D3 (DRD3) is considered as a major candidate gene in various addictive disorders. Association studies in alcohol-dependence for this gene are nevertheless controversial. We made the hypothesis that phenotypical heterogeneity of alcohol-dependence (i.e. the DRD3 gene is a vulnerability gene in a specific subgroup of patients only) could explain these spurious findings, focusing on a core dimension of addictive disorders, namely impulsiveness. In our sample of 108 French alcohol-dependent patients, patients above the median value for cognitive impulsiveness (one of the three dimensions of the Barratt scale) were more frequently heterozygous than both alcohol-dependent patients with lower impulsiveness (OR = 2.51, P = 0.019) and than 71 healthy controls (OR = 2.32, P = 0.025). Age at interview, antisocial personality disorder, other comorbid addictive disorder, age at onset of alcohol-dependence, and lifetime mood disorders did not constitute confusing intermediate factors.     

Gray matter changes in right superior temporal gyrus in criminal psychopaths. Evidence from voxel-based morphometry

"Psychopathy" according to the PCL-R describes a specific subgroup of antisocial personality disorder with a high risk for criminal relapses. Lesion and imaging studies point towards frontal or temporal brain regions connected with disturbed social behavior, antisocial personality disorder (APD) and psychopathy. Morphologically, some studies described a reduced prefrontal brain volume, whereas others reported on temporal lobe atrophy. To further investigate whether participants with psychopathy according to the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised Version (PCL-R) show abnormalities in brain structure, we used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to investigate region-specific changes in gray matter in 17 forensic male inpatients with high PCL-R scores (PCL-R>28) and 17 male control subjects with low PCL-R scores (PCL<10). We found significant gray matter reductions in frontal and temporal brain regions in psychopaths compared with controls. In particular, we found a highly significant volume loss in the right superior temporal gyrus. This is the first study to show that psychopathy is associated with a decrease in gray matter in both frontal and temporal brain regions, in particular in the right superior temporal gyrus, supporting the hypothesis that a disturbed frontotemporal network is critically involved in the pathogenesis of psychopathy.     

Police-registered offenses and psychiatric disorders among young males

OBJECTIVE: To study associations between crime and psychiatric disorders among adolescent males in a representative population-based cohort study. METHOD: The sample includes 2,712 Finnish boys born in 1981. Information on criminality consists of offenses registered in the Finnish National Police Register 1998-2001. Crime was classified according to frequency and type (drug, violent, property, traffic, and drunk driving offenses). Information on psychiatric diagnoses between 1999 and 2004 was collected from the Finnish National Military Register. RESULTS: Of the 2,712 boys, 22% had a crime registration during the 4-year period, and 10% had at least one psychiatric disorder according to the Military Register. Those with psychiatric disorders accounted for 49% of all crimes. Of those with more than five crimes (n = 98), 59% had psychiatric diagnoses. After adjusting for other crime types and childhood socio-economic status, property crime was independently associated with several diagnoses: antisocial personality (APD), substance use (SUD), psychotic, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. Drug offending was independently associated with APD, SUD, and psychotic disorder, and traffic offenses with APD. CONCLUSIONS: Youth crime is predominantly associated with antisocial personality and substance use disorders. Crime prevention efforts should focus on boys showing a risk for antisocial and substance use problems. In particular, property, drug, and repeat offenders need mental health and substance use assessment. There is a need to develop integrated mental health and substance use treatment services for young offenders within or alongside the criminal justice system.     

The association of 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR gene polymorphisms and antisocial personality disorder in male heroin-dependent Chinese subjects

Objective

To explore the association between the 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR polymorphisms with comorbidity of antisocial personality disorder in male heroin-dependent patients.

Subjects and methods

In case control study, we compared the polymorphic distributions of 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR in 588 male heroin-dependent patients (including 311 patients with antisocial personality disorder and 277 patients without antisocial personality disorder) and 194 normal males by genotypes, alleles, and interaction between genes.

Results

Between male heroin-dependent patients with antisocial personality disorder and normal males, and between male heroin-dependent patients with and without antisocial personality disorder, the distributions of 5-HTTVNTR polymorphic genotypes and alleles were in statistical significance. Individuals carrying 10R allele were in higher risk of the comorbidity of antisocial personality disorder and heroin dependence. By MDR analyses, the interaction between 5-HTTVNTR and DATVNTR was close to statistical significance in predicting the risk of antisocial personality disorder in male heroin dependent patients. In male heroin dependent patients, individuals carrying 5-HTTVNTR 10R allele or/and DATVNTR 9R allele were in higher risks of co-occurring antisocial personality disorder, while individuals with 5-HTTVNTR 12R/12R and DATVNTR 10R/10R genotypes together were in lower risks of antisocial personality disorder.

Conclusion

5-HTTVNTR, and the interaction between 5-HTTVNTR and DATVNTR may be associated with the comorbidity of antisocial personality disorder in male heroin-dependent patients.     

Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with drug use and HIV risk in syringe exchange participants

The present study evaluated the effects of psychiatric comorbidity on substance use disorder prevalence, HIV risk behavior, and other problem severity in male and female out-of-treatment injection drug users newly registered at a syringe exchange program. Participants (N = 338) were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV, the Addiction Severity Index, and the Risk Assessment Battery, and classified into one of four diagnostic groups: (1) no antisocial personality disorder (APD) or Axis I psychiatric disorder (N = 162), (2) APD only (N = 74), (3) Axis I psychiatric disorder only (N = 55), or (4) APD plus Axis I psychiatric disorder (N = 47). Psychiatric comorbidity was associated with higher rates of substance use disorder and more HIV risk and other problem severity. In general, participants with both APD and an Axis I disorder exhibited the most problem severity. APD was uniquely associated with higher prevalence for each substance use disorder assessed in this study and with elevated HIV risk. These results support and extend studies conducted with opioid-dependent individuals recruited from treatment and community settings, and reinforce the need to develop interventions to encourage syringe exchange program participants to enroll in treatment.     

Animal cruelty and psychiatric disorders

Animal cruelty in childhood, although generally viewed as abnormal or deviant, for years was not considered symptomatic of any particular psychiatric disorder. Although animal cruelty is currently used as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorder, research establishing the diagnostic significance of this behavior is essentially nonexistent. In the current study, investigators tested the hypothesis that a history of substantial animal cruelty is associated with a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (APD) and looked for associations with other disorders commonly diagnosed in a population of criminal defendants. Forty-eight subjects, criminal defendants who had histories of substantial animal cruelty, were matched with defendants without this history. Data were systematically obtained from the files by using four specifically designed data retrieval outlines. A history of animal cruelty during childhood was significantly associated with APD, antisocial personality traits, and polysubstance abuse. Mental retardation, psychotic disorders, and alcohol abuse showed no such association.