Commentary: Implications for future research on the genetic and environmental causes of callous-unemotional traits - a commentary on Takahashi et al (2020)

Takahashi et al. (2020) showed that CU traits at age 7 were highly heritable, that the genetic influences underlying the course of CU traits from age 7 to 16 were largely independent from those underlying the initial level, and that the genetic influences on CU traits in early childhood were substantially different from the genetic influences on these traits in adolescence. This commentary on these important and provocative findings focuses on their implications for future research. Specifically, it notes that future studies attempting to find genetic loci related to CU traits need to consider that such loci may differ depending on the age of the sample and this research needs to consider several important considerations when measuring CU traits that can influence the results. Further, the results of Takahashi et al highlight the importance of environmental influences on the stability of CU traits that could play an important role in treatment.

Automated summary

The study by Takahashi et al. showed high heritability of callous-unemotional traits at age 7, with genetic influences on these traits varying between childhood and adolescence. Future research should take into account age differences and measurement considerations when identifying genetic loci related to callous-unemotional traits. Additionally, environmental influences on the stability of these traits highlighted in the study could have implications for treatment.