Genes mediate the association between P3 amplitude and externalizing disorders.
Reduced P3 amplitude has been consistently linked to a spectrum of externalizing disorders. Utilizing data from a large sample of adolescent male twins (N=1196), we used biometric modeling to assess the genetic and environmental contributions to the association between reduced P3 amplitude and a general vulnerability to externalizing disorders. Externalizing vulnerability was indexed by a composite of symptoms of conduct disorder, adult antisocial behavior, and alcohol, nicotine, and drug dependence. The sample included two independent age cohorts, providing an internal replication of the findings. For the best-fitting model, genetic influences alone accounted for the association between P3 amplitude and externalizing disorders, with an estimated genetic correlation of r(g)=-.22. Results replicated across the two age cohorts and demonstrate that reduced P3 amplitude is a marker of the biological vulnerability to externalizing disorders.
Hicks
Brian M
BM
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. hicksb@musc.edu
Bernat
Edward
E
Malone
Steven M
SM
Iacono
William G
WG
Patrick
Christopher J
CJ
Krueger
Robert F
RF
McGue
Matt
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014427:Twins