Genetic variation in GABRA2 moderates peer influence on externalizing behavior in adolescents.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genetic predisposition and environmental influences are both important factors in the development of problematic behavior leading to substance use in adolescence. Involvement with delinquent peers also strongly predicts adolescent externalizing behavior. Several lines of evidence support a role of GABRA2 on externalizing behavior related to disinhibition. However, whether this genetic association is influenced by the environment such as peer behavior remains unknown.

Methods

We examined the moderating role of GABRA2 genetic variation on the socialization model of delinquent peer affiliation (at ages 12-14 years) on externalizing behavior (at ages 15-17 years) in the Michigan Longitudinal Study (MLS) adolescent sample. The sample consisted of 244 adolescents (75 fe

SUBMITTER: Villafuerte S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4212110 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature