[The influence of genes on the development of personality]

Antisocial behavior and personality disorders are both heterogeneous and the product of interacting genetic and environmental factors acting at different levels of causation. Heritability studies show that individual differences in predisposition to antisocial behavior are transmitted by genetic mechanisms in families. Direct gene analysis and genetic linkage analysis have identified structural variants in genes involved in neurotransmitter function, and some progress has been made towards relating these genetic variants to antisocial personality and other behaviors. The monoamine oxidase-A variant leads to aggressive behavior in one family. Direct gene analyses have revealed amino acid substitutions and structural variants at DRD2, DRD3 and DRD4 dopamine receptors and 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C serotonin receptors, serotonin transporter gene, and genes for enzymes, metabolizing biogenic amines MAO-A, MAO-B. The stage is set to identify the phenotypic significance of these as well as genetic variants at other loci which may be relevant as candidate genes for antisocial behavior and related behavioral differences.