Efficacy of intervention at traffic schools reducing impulsive action, and association with candidate gene variants

Files

Acta_Neuropsychiatrica_2019B.pdf (463.36 KB)

Date

2019

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Acta Neuropsychiatrica

Abstract

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.

Description

Keywords

dopamine, genotype, humans, impulsive behaviour, serotonin

Citation

URI

10.1017/neu.2019.2
 http://hdl.handle.net/10062/65096

Collections

CoCA — Aktiivsus-tähelepanuhäirega koosesinevad haigused ja tervisehäired / Comorbid Conditions of Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorders
Eat2beNICE — Toitumise ja eluviisi mõju impulsiivsele, kompulsiivsele ja eksternaliseeritud käitumisele / Effects of Nutrition and Lifestyle on Impulsive, Compulsive, and Externalizing Behaviours