Browsing by Author "Eensoo, Diva"

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    Driving risks of young drivers with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: association with the dopamine transporter gene VNTR polymorphism
    (2022) Tokko, Tõnis; Eensoo, Diva; Miškinyte, Grete; Harro, Jaanus
    Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for young adults, and young drivers with higher expression of symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could pose an even greater risk in traffic. Dopaminergic dysfunction has been found to occur in ADHD, with the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene VNTR polymorphism (DAT1 VNTR; rs28363170) being one of the most consistent genetic markers. Thus, we aimed at clarifying how the ADHD symptoms and the DAT1 VNTR relate to risk-taking behaviour in traffic, impulsivity and driving anger in young drivers. We used data of two traffic behaviour study samples (n = 741, mean age = 23.3±7.2 years; n = 995, mean age = 22.9±8.1 years) and the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS; traffic behaviour data n = 1016, mean age = 25.2±2.1 years). ADHD symptoms were assessed by self-report with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and impulsivity with the Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale. Traffic behavioural measures were either self-reported (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire, Driving Anger Scale) or obtained from databases (registered accidents and violations). Drivers with more self-reported ADHD symptoms also reported more risk-taking in traffic and had more of recorded traffic accidents and violations. DAT1 9R carriers had a higher probability of high traffic risk behaviour only if they also had ADHD symptoms. Conclusion Higher level of ADHD symptoms is a significant risk factor in traffic, and carrying of the DAT1 9R allele appears to aggravate these risks.
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    Driving risks of young drivers with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: association with the dopamine transporter gene VNTR polymorphism
    (2022) Tokko, Tõnis; Eensoo, Diva; Miškinyte, Grete; Harro, Jaanus
    Background: Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for young adults, and young drivers with higher expression of symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could pose an even greater risk in traffic. Dopaminergic dysfunction has been found to occur in ADHD, with the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene VNTR polymorphism (DAT1 VNTR; rs28363170) being one of the most consistent genetic markers. Thus, we aimed at clarifying how the ADHD symptoms and the DAT1 VNTR relate to risk-taking behaviour in traffic, impulsivity and driving anger in young drivers. Method: We used data of two traffic behaviour study samples (n = 741, mean age = 23.3±7.2 years; n = 995, mean age = 22.9±8.1 years) and the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS; traffic behaviour data n = 1016, mean age = 25.2±2.1 years). ADHD symptoms were assessed by self-report with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and impulsivity with the Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale. Traffic behavioural measures were either self-reported (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire, Driving Anger Scale) or obtained from databases (registered accidents and violations). Results: Drivers with more self-reported ADHD symptoms also reported more risk-taking in traffic and had more of recorded traffic accidents and violations. DAT1 9R carriers had a higher probability of high traffic risk behaviour only if they also had ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Higher level of ADHD symptoms is a significant risk factor in traffic, and carrying of the DAT1 9R allele appears to aggravate these risks.
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    Efficacy of intervention at traffic schools reducing impulsive action, and association with candidate gene variants
    (Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 2019) Luht, Kadi; Tokko, Tõnis; Eensoo, Diva; Vaht, Mariliis; Harro, Jaanus
    OBJECTIVE: Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people. Recognition of the contribution of impulsive behaviour may help novice drivers to behave more safely. Previously a brief intervention focusing on impulsive traffic behaviour conducted by psychologists in driving schools had been effective. The aim of this study was an independent re-evaluation of the effect of the intervention, as conducted by driving school teachers, and assessment of the potential associations with candidate genotypes. METHODS: Driving school students (mean age 22.5, SD=7.9) were divided into intervention (n=704) and control (n=737) groups. Driving school teachers were trained to administer the intervention which consisted of a lecture and group work (1.5 h in total) on impulsivity. Traffic offences and crashes were monitored during 3 years, using police and traffic insurance fund databases. Functional polymorphisms of the dopamine transporter (DAT) and serotonin transporter genes (DAT1 VNTR and 5-HTTLPR) were assessed. RESULTS: The intervention significantly lowered general traffic risk and prevalence of traffic accidents. DAT1 VNTR 9R carriers, particularly males, had higher general traffic risk in the whole sample. Female 5-HTTLPR s' allele carriers of the intervention group had the lowest general traffic risk. Intervention was most effective in female DAT1 VNTR 10R/10R homozygotes. CONCLUSIONS: Brief impulsivity-centred intervention appears as a promising strategy for preventing risk-taking behaviour in novice drivers and can be fully integrated to driving school curriculum.
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    Jalakäijate riskeeriv käitumine liikluses ning selle mõjutamise võimalused
    (2009-12-11T08:36:43Z) Eensoo, Diva
    E-kursuse "Jalakäijate riskeeriv käitumine liikluses ning selle mõjutamise võimalused" õppe- ja juhendmaterjalid.
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    Jalgratturite ja mopeedijuhtide riskeeriv käitumine liikluses ning selle mõjutamise võimalused
    (2009-12-11T08:32:07Z) Eensoo, Diva
    E-kursuse "Jalgratturite ja mopeedijuhtide riskeeriv käitumine liikluses ning selle mõjutamise võimalused" õppe- ja juhendmaterjalid.
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    Orexin/hypocretin receptor gene (HCRTR1) variation is associated with aggressive behaviour
    (ScienceDirect, 2019-09) Harro, Jaanus; Laas, Kariina; Eensoo, Diva; Kurrikoff, Triin; Sakala, Katre; Vaht, Mariliis; Parik, Jüri; Mäestu, Jarek; Veidebaum, Toomas
    Orexins, alternatively called hypocretins, are neuropeptides with crucial role in maintaining wakefulness. The orexin system is thought to mediate a coordinated defense response but thus far investigated from the flight, but never fight, response perspective. An HCRTR1 gene variant (rs2271933 G > A) leading to amino acid substitution (Ile408Val) has been associated with migraine and mood disorders. We genotyped, and assessed aggressive behaviour in both birth cohorts (n = 655 and 583) of the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS). Measures of aggressiveness were collected at age 25 or 33 and data on stressful life events (SLE-s) at age 15. Violations of traffic law were monitored in the samples of the Estonian Psychobiological Study of Traffic Behaviour. In both birth cohorts of the ECPBHS, the HCRTR1 the A/A homozygotes reported higher aggression in both Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Life History of Aggression Interview. With either measure of aggressiveness, the HCRTR1 genotype effect was dependent on experience of SLE, the highest level of aggressiveness increase by environment being found in female A/A homozygotes. The HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes scored higher in the ANGER facet of the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scale, while such an effect on FEAR was found only in females. Male HCRTR1 A/A homozygotes were more likely to relapse into drunk driving of a passenger car, and in two independent samples the A-allele carriers were causing traffic accidents more often. Conclusively, self-report, interview, and traffic record data converge indicating that the HCRTR1 Ile408Val genotype is associated with aggressiveness and breach of law. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Current status of the neurobiology of aggression and impulsivity’.
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    Relapse of drunk driving and association with traffic accidents, alcohol-related problems, and biomarkers of impulsivity
    (Cambridge University Press, 2018) Tokko, Tõnis; Eensoo, Diva; Vaht, Mariliis; Lesch, Klaus-Peter; Reif, Andreas; Harro, Jaanus
    Objective: Individual biological predispositions should play a role in risky driving behaviour. Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene polymorphisms have been identified as markers of impulsivity, alcohol use and excessive risk-taking. We aimed to find out how this knowledge on neurobiology of impulsivity applies to drunk driving and traffic behaviour in general. Methods: We have longitudinally examined the behaviour of drunk drivers (n=203) and controls (n=211) in traffic, in association with their alcohol-related problems, personality measures and the three biomarkers. We analysed differences between the subjects based on whether they had committed driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI) violation in a 10-year time period after recruitment or not and investigated further, what kind of predictive value do the different biomarkers have in committing DWI and other traffic violations and accidents. Results: The original drunk drivers group had lower platelet MAO activity but further DWI was not significantly associated with this measure. Being a NPSR1 T-allele carrier contributed to the risk of repeatedly committing DWI. DAT1 9R carriers in contrast were involved in more traffic accidents by their own fault (active accidents), compared to 10R homozygotes in the whole sample. All groups with DWI also had significantly more alcohol-related problems and higher scores in maladaptive impulsivity compared to controls without DWI. Conclusions: Established biological markers of alcohol use and impulsivity can be reliably associated with everyday traffic behaviour and help in contributing to the understanding of the need for more personalized prevention activities.
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    Risk-taking in traffic is associated with unhealthy lifestyle: Contribution of aggressiveness and the serotonin transporter genotype
    (2022) Tokko, Tõnis; Eensoo, Diva; Luht-Kallas, Kadi; Harro, Jaanus
    Objectives: Risk taking behaviour, including in traffic, is related to impulsivity and aggressiveness, and so is unhealthy lifestyle. The serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) has been associated with impulsivity, aggression, alcohol use, speed limit exceeding and traffic accidents. The aim of this study was to examine whether subjects with less healthy eating and exercise habits take more risks in traffic, and whether impulsivity, aggressiveness and the serotonin transporter genotype could mediate or moderate any such associations. Method: A sub-sample of the Estonian Psychobiological Study of Traffic Behaviour (EPSTB (n = 817) with mean age (SD) = 31.4 (10.0) years filled out lifestyle questionnaires. Impulsivity was measured by Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale and aggressiveness by Buss – Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Traffic violation data in the previous 5 years period were obtained from police database. Results: Speed limit exceeders had higher physical and verbal aggression, higher AUDIT scores, they reported more vigorous physical activity and drinking energy drinks more often. Path analysis showed that higher AUDIT scores were associated with speeding via higher physical aggression. 5-HTTLPR was not directly associated with speeding or driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI), but 5-HTTLPR s’-allele carriers had lower AUDIT scores if they were not junk food eaters and the other way around, while l’/l’ homozygosity was associated with DWI via higher AUDIT scores. Conclusion: Significant associations exist between risky traffic behaviour and aspects of lifestyle such as consumption of alcohol or junk food or energy drinks, as well as engagement in vigorous physical activity, while traits such as aggressiveness and the variation in the serotonergic system appear as mediating and moderating factors. Interventions preventing 3 accidents should focus on wider array of behaviours and use personalised approach. Genetic variation should be investigated regarding associations with risk taking and health behaviour, and response to interventions.
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    Sõidukijuhtide riskeeriv käitumine liikluses ning selle mõjutamise võimalused
    (2009-12-11T08:12:40Z) Eensoo, Diva
    E-kursuse "Sõidukijuhtide riskeeriv käitumine liikluses ning selle mõjutamise võimalused" õppe- ja juhendmaterjalid.
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    Sõidukijuhtide riskid liikluses
    (Tartu Ülikool, 2013-04-04) Eensoo, Diva
    BeSt prograami toetusel loodud minikursuse eesmärk on aidata kaasa autojuhtide riskikäitumise vähendamisele ja seeläbi ennetada ka liiklusvigastusi.
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