The Impact of OXTR, HTR2A, and AR Gene Polymorphisms on Aggressive Behavior in Armenian Students

IF 1.5 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, BIOLOGICAL

Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology Pub Date : 2025-05-28 DOI:10.1007/s40750-025-00262-9

Prokhor A. Proshakov, Alex M. Kulikov, Ruzan A. Mkrtchyan, Liliya A. Revyakina, Marina L. Butovskaya, Oleg E. Lazebny

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Aggressive behavior is influenced by genetic factors, but findings in behavioral genetics remain inconsistent due to heterogeneous study samples. This study aims to investigate the relationship between aggression traits and polymorphisms of AR, HTR2A, and OXTR genes in a monoethnic sample of Armenian university students, and to compare the results with previously studied African and Siberian populations.

Methods

The study included 231 Armenian students. Aggression levels were assessed using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and proactive/reactive aggression scales. Genetic analysis focused on the OXTR-rs53576, HTR2A-rs6311, and AR(CAG)_n polymorphisms. The distribution of alleles was examined, and associations between genetic variations and aggression traits were analyzed, considering sex differences and gene–gene interactions.

Results

Men exhibited significantly higher levels of physical (p = 2.8e-8), proactive (p = 2.8e-8), and reactive aggression (p = 0.015), while hostility was more pronounced in women (p = 0.033). In women, OXTR-rs53576 interacted with AR(CAG)_n to influence reactive aggression (p = 0.015). In men, AR(CAG)_n independently affected physical aggression (p = 0.003), and its interaction with OXTR-rs53576 also influenced physical aggression (p = 0.005). Combined analysis revealed that AR(CAG)_n and OXTR-rs53576 interactions were associated with verbal aggression (p = 0.008), anger (p = 0.035), and reactive aggression (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that genetic variations in AR and OXTR contribute to individual differences in aggression, with sex-specific effects and gene–gene interactions playing a significant role. In a comparative context, Armenians demonstrate intermediate levels of aggression between highly egalitarian and patriarchal societies, reinforcing the importance of both genetic and sociocultural factors in the expression of aggression.

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OXTR、HTR2A和AR基因多态性对亚美尼亚学生攻击行为的影响

攻击行为受遗传因素的影响，但由于研究样本的异质性，行为遗传学的研究结果仍不一致。本研究旨在探讨亚美尼亚大学生攻击特征与AR、HTR2A和OXTR基因多态性之间的关系，并将结果与先前研究的非洲和西伯利亚人群进行比较。方法研究对象为231名亚美尼亚学生。攻击水平采用Buss-Perry攻击问卷和主动/反应攻击量表进行评估。遗传分析的重点是oxtr - rss53576、HTR2A-rs6311和AR(CAG)n多态性。在考虑性别差异和基因间相互作用的情况下，研究了等位基因的分布，分析了遗传变异与攻击性状的关系。结果男性的身体攻击（p = 2.8e-8）、主动攻击（p = 2.8e-8）和反应性攻击（p = 0.015）明显高于女性（p = 0.033）。在女性中，oxtr - rss53576与AR(CAG)n相互作用影响反应性攻击（p = 0.015）。在男性中，AR(CAG)n独立影响肢体攻击（p = 0.003），其与OXTR-rs53576的交互作用也影响肢体攻击（p = 0.005）。综合分析显示，AR(CAG)n和OXTR-rs53576交互作用与言语攻击（p = 0.008）、愤怒（p = 0.035）和反应性攻击（p = 0.029）相关。结论AR和OXTR基因的遗传变异导致了个体攻击行为的差异，其中性别特异性效应和基因间相互作用起着重要作用。在比较的情况下，亚美尼亚人表现出介于高度平等主义社会和父权社会之间的中间侵略水平，这加强了基因和社会文化因素在侵略表现中的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology PSYCHOLOGY, BIOLOGICAL-

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

6.20%

发文量

期刊介绍： Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology is an international interdisciplinary scientific journal that publishes theoretical and empirical studies of any aspects of adaptive human behavior (e.g. cooperation, affiliation, and bonding, competition and aggression, sex and relationships, parenting, decision-making), with emphasis on studies that also address the biological (e.g. neural, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular, genetic) mechanisms controlling behavior.