title: Paraphilic Sexual Offenders Do Not Differ From Control Subjects With Respect to Dopamine- and Serotonin-Related Genetic Polymorphisms.
abstract: Rape and pedophilic child molestation are the most commonly convicted sexual offenses in Poland. Recent studies have suggested a possible genetic contribution toward pathologic sexual interests and behaviors.
  
  
  
  To analyze and compare functional polymorphisms of genes associated with the activity of the serotonin and dopamine systems in a group of paraphilic sexual offenders and control subjects.
  
  
  
  The study sample (n = 97) consisted of two groups: paraphilic sexual offenders (65 pedophilic child molesters and 32 rapists) and controls (n = 76). Genetic polymorphisms previously associated with behavioral control, addictive behaviors, and sexual functions were chosen for analyses. Specifically, functional polymorphisms in dopamine receptors genes (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4), catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT), dopamine transporter gene (DAT), serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), serotonin type 2A receptor gene (5HTR2A), tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2), monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) were analyzed.
  
  
  
  An association between a history of sexual offense and the distribution of genotypes and alleles in the analyzed polymorphisms.
  
  
  
  Our results found no association between a history of sexual offense and the distribution of genotypes or alleles in the analyzed polymorphisms.
  
  
  
  Although these results are limited by the small sample and are exploratory, they highlight a novel approach to sample selection in a population that is difficult to access and study. Future research should include larger samples and other relevant polymorphisms to advance this field of study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jakubczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: aleksandra.krasowska@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krasowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bugaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kopera
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klimkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Łoczewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michalska
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Wolski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Health Science, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Szejko
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Podgórska
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sołowiej
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Markuszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexology, Center of Psychotherapy Nowowiejski Hospital, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jakima
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Płoski
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brower
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wojnar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D057237:Criminals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010378:Pedophilia / Q000235:genetics*; D011044:Poland; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012742:Sex Offenses
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D004298:Dopamine
keywords: Dopamine; Genetic Polymorphism; Pedophilia; Serotonin; Sexual Offense