title: Interaction of serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region and childhood neglect on criminal behavior and substance use for males and females.
abstract: Childhood neglect has been cited as a risk factor for later substance abuse and criminal behavior. However, a large body of literature shows that a substantial percentage of neglected and abused individuals do not go on to abuse substances or engage in criminal behavior. The current study investigates whether a genetic variant (serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region [5-HTTLPR]) in the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTT) gene moderates the effect of childhood neglect on alcohol use problems, marijuana use, and criminal behavior. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health shows that 5-HTTLPR conditions the effect of neglect on marijuana use for females, but not for males. Findings also reveal a significant gene-environment correlation between 5-HTTLPR and neglect for females only. These results suggest that 5-HTTLPR is associated with an increased risk of neglect for females, and it also increases neglected females' risk of abusing marijuana.
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Western Carolina University, 410 A Belk, Cullowhee, NC 28723, USA. jvaske@email.wcu.edu
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaske
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newsome
authors.forename: John Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D057237:Criminals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins