title: Psychopathy, PCL-R, and MAOA genotype as predictors of violent reconvictions.
abstract: The Revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) has shown a moderate association with violence. The efficacy of PCL-R in varying monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotypes is, however, unexamined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PCL-R and psychopathy on the risk for violent reconvictions among 167 MAOA genotyped alcoholic offenders. Violent reconvictions and PCL-R scores among violent offenders were assessed after a 7-year non-incarcerated follow-up. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the alcohol exposure and age-adjusted effect of PCL-R score and psychopathy on the risk for reconvictions among differing MAOA genotypes. Results suggest that the PCL-R total score predicts impulsive reconvictions among high-activity MAOA offenders (6.8% risk increase for every one-point increase in PCL-R total score, P = 0.015), but not among low-activity MAOA offenders, whereas antisocial behavior and attitudes predicted reconvictions in both genotypes (17% risk increase among high-activity MAOA offenders and 12.8% increase among low-activity MAOA offenders for every one-point increase in factor 2 score). Both narcissistic self-image with related interpersonal style (factor 1 score) and psychopathy (PCL-R ≥ 30) failed to predict future violence. Results suggest that the efficacy of PCL-R is altered by MAOA genotype, alcohol exposure, and age, which seems important to note when PCL-R is used for risk assessments that will have legal or costly preventive work consequences.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Finland. roop.tikkanen@helsiki.fi
authors.forename: Roope
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tikkanen
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Auvinen-Lintunen
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ducci
authors.forename: Rickard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiihonen
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ojansuu
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Virkkunen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D057189:Checklist; D005387:Finland; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011599:Psychopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008995:Monoamine Oxidase