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Use of polygenic score approach for assessing liability to human aggressive behavior

https://doi.org/10.25557/2073-7998.2025.05.27-30

Abstract

Identification of SNPs related to manifesting excessive aggressive behavior based on calculation of polygenic score (PGS) and a relevance of extrapolation of GWAS data obtained in European cohorts to a sample of Russian residents is of interest. The present study aimed to design regression models explaining variance in aggression level in Russian cohort and including PGS and social parameters as predictors. The study comprised of individuals from Russia aged 18-25 (N=1065, 80% women) who underwent psychological testing using the BPAQ questionnaire to assess aggression level. We performed genotyping of 30 SNPs in the genes belonging to monoaminergic, hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal and inflammatory systems, and genes involved in epigenetic regulation. Regression models were identified, which explain up to 13.3% of variance in physical aggression (p=2.2*10-16), including PGS (SNPs in CRP, TNF, IL1A, AVPR1A, OXTR, TERC, MIR2113, MIR124, MIR135A2, FYN, DRD4, and SLC6A4 genes) and social factors such as family income, birth order, maternal protection, and current smoking as predictors. The data obtained support the genetic similarity of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of physical and verbal aggression and antisocial and risky behavior.

About the Authors

A. V. Kazantseva
Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics – Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa, 450054, Russian Federation 



Yu. D. Davydova
Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics – Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa, 450054, Russian Federation



R. N. Mustafin
Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

3, Lenina st., Ufa, 450008, Russian Federation 



S. B. Malykh
Psychological Institute of Russian Academy of Education
Russian Federation

9/4, Mokhovaya st., Moscow, 125009, Russian Federation 



E. K. Khusnutdinova
Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics – Subdivision of the Ufa Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

 71, Prospekt Oktyabrya, Ufa, 450054, Russian Federation 



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Review

For citations:


Kazantseva A.V., Davydova Yu.D., Mustafin R.N., Malykh S.B., Khusnutdinova E.K. Use of polygenic score approach for assessing liability to human aggressive behavior. Medical Genetics. 2025;24(5):27-30. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25557/2073-7998.2025.05.27-30

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ISSN 2073-7998 (Print)