Continuity of Genetic Risk for Aggressive Behavior Across the Life-Course
Authors: van der Laan Camiel M. , Morosoli-García José J. , van de Weijer Steve G. A. , Colodro-Conde Lucía ,   the ACTION Consortium, Ip Hill F. , van der Laan Camiel M. , Krapohl Eva M. L. , Brikell Isabell , Sánchez-Mora Cristina , Nolte Ilja M. , Pourcain Beate St , Bolhuis Koen , Palviainen Teemu , Zafarmand Hadi , Colodro-Conde Lucía , Gordon Scott , Zayats Tetyana , Aliev Fazil , Jiang Chang , Wang Carol A. , Saunders Gretchen , Karhunen Ville , Hammerschlag Anke R. , Adkins Daniel E. , Border Richard , Peterson Roseann E. , Prinz Joseph A. , Thiering Elisabeth , Seppälä Ilkka , Vilor-Tejedor Natàlia , Ahluwalia Tarunveer S. , Day Felix R. , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , Allegrini Andrea G. , Rimfeld Kaili , Chen Qi , Lu Yi , Martin Joanna , Artigas María Soler , Rovira Paula , Bosch Rosa , Español Gemma , Quiroga Josep Antoni Ramos , Neumann Alexander , Ensink Judith , Grasby Katrina , Morosoli José J. , Tong Xiaoran , Marrington Shelby , Middeldorp Christel , Scott James G. , Vinkhuyzen Anna , Shabalin Andrey A. , Corley Robin , Evans Luke M. , Sugden Karen , Alemany Silvia , Sass Lærke , Vinding Rebecca , Ruth Kate , Tyrrell Jess , Ehli Erik A. , Hagenbeek Fiona A. , De Zeeuw Eveline , Van Beijsterveldt Toos C. E. M. , Larsson Henrik , Snieder Harold , Verhulst Frank C. , Amin Najaf , Whipp Alyce M. , Korhonen Tellervo , Vuoksimaa Eero , Rose Richard J. , Uitterlinden André G. , Heath Andrew C. , Madden Pamela , Haavik Jan , Harris Jennifer R. , Helgeland Øyvind , Johansson Stefan , Knudsen Gun Peggy S. , Njolstad Pal Rasmus , Lu Qing , Rodriguez Alina , Henders Anjali K. , Mamun Abdullah , Najman Jackob M. , Brown Sandy , Hopfer Christian , Krauter Kenneth , Reynolds Chandra , Smolen Andrew , Stallings Michael , Wadsworth Sally , Wall Tamara L. , Silberg Judy L. , Miller Allison , Keltikangas-Järvinen Liisa , Hakulinen Christian , Pulkki-Råback Laura , Havdahl Alexandra , Magnus Per , Raitakari Olli T. , Perry John R. B. , Llop Sabrina , Lopez-Espinosa Maria-Jose , Bønnelykke Klaus , Bisgaard Hans , Sunyer Jordi , Lehtimäki Terho , Arseneault Louise , Standl Marie , Heinrich Joachim , Boden Joseph , Pearson John , Horwood LJohn , Kennedy Martin , Poulton Richie , Eaves Lindon J. , Maes Hermine H. , Hewitt John , Copeland William E. , Costello Elizabeth J. , Williams Gail M. , Wray Naomi , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , McGue Matt , Iacono William , Caspi Avshalom , Moffitt Terrie E. , Whitehouse Andrew , Pennell Craig E. , Klump Kelly L. , Burt S. Alexandra , Dick Danielle M. , Reichborn-Kjennerud Ted , Martin Nicholas G. , Medland Sarah E. , Vrijkotte Tanja , Kaprio Jaakko , Tiemeier Henning , Smith George Davey , Hartman Catharina A. , Oldehinkel Albertine J. , Casas Miquel , Ribasés Marta , Lichtenstein Paul , Lundström Sebastian , Plomin Robert , Bartels Meike , Nivard Michel G. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Lupton Michelle K. , Mitchell Brittany L. , McAloney Kerrie , Parker Richard , Burns Jane M. , Hickie Ian B. , Pool René , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , Martin Nicholas G. , Medland Sarah E. , Nivard Michel G. , Boomsma Dorret I. 
Published: August 2021

We test whether genetic influences that explain individual differences in aggression in early life also explain individual differences across the life-course. In two cohorts from The Netherlands (N = 13,471) and Australia (N = 5628), polygenic scores (PGSs) were computed based on a genome-wide meta-analysis of childhood/adolescence aggression. In a novel analytic approach, we ran a mixed effects model for each age (Netherlands: 12–70 years, Australia: 16–73 years), with observations at the focus age weighted as 1, and decaying weights for ages further away. We call this approach a ‘rolling weights’ model. In The Netherlands, the estimated effect of the PGS was relatively similar from age 12 to age 41, and decreased from age 41–70. In Australia, there was a peak in the effect of the PGS around age 40 years. These results are a first indication from a molecular genetics perspective that genetic influences on aggressive behavior that are expressed in childhood continue to play a role later in life.