No association between a polymorphism in the promoter region of the MAOA gene with antisocial personality traits in alcoholics.
OBJECTIVE
We analysed the MAOAuVNTR functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the X-chromosomal monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene. Genotypes with three-repeat alleles were reported to be associated with antisocial as well as impulsive traits.


METHODS
The repeat number (3-5) of the MAOA polymorphism was determined in 169 male alcoholic subjects and 72 controls of German descent. Behavioural and personality traits were evaluated using the Brown-Goodwin Assessment for History of Lifetime Aggression, the Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory, as well as the Barrat Impulsiveness Score. A median split in Brown-Goodwin, Buss Durkee Irritability, Buss Durkee Assault and Barrat Impulsiveness Score was conducted.


RESULTS
High scores were found, i.e. 47.9% in Brown-Goodwin, 65.7% in Buss Durkee Irritability, 63.3% in Buss Durkee Assault and 59.8% in Barrat Impulsiveness Scale, indicating high impulsiveness, irritability and antisocial behaviour. Based on the results of these questionnaires, we detected no significant differences between the frequency of the three-repeat allele and high or low scores in alcoholics and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these findings suggest that the three-repeat allele of the MAOAuVNTR 30-bp polymorphism is not associated with impulsive and aggressive personality traits.
Koller
G
G
Psychiatrische Klinik und Poliklinik der LMU München, Nussbaumstrasse 7, 80336 München, Germany.
Bondy
B
B
Preuss
U W
UW
Bottlender
M
M
Soyka
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000483:Alleles; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D018900:Dinucleotide Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008875:Middle Aged; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D008995:Monoamine Oxidase