Genetic studies in forensic psychiatry

Abstract

Integration of biological variables in psychiatric research is essential. An example is the attempt to identify biological mechanisms which causes vulnerability to alcoholism. Another is the connection between serotonin metabolite [5-HIAA] concentration and impulsive behavior, including violent impulsive acts. Genetic analysis is an increasingly powerful tool due to methodological advances and is applicable to a wide range of behaviors in which a role for inheritance is indicated by studies in twins. We are attempting to identify genes for alcoholism—a psychiatric disease closely associated with impulsive and violent behaviors—by a combination of linkage and direct gene analysis approaches in the Finnish population. Finns represent a relative isolate where heterogeneities of gene and environment are reduced. Findings include our recently replicated association of a tryptophan hydroxylase to suicidality in impulsive alcoholics.

• Alcoholism
• behavior
• biological
• DNA
• genetic
• serotonin
• impulsivity
• 5-HIAAØ