Polymorphisms in the MAOA, MAOB, and COMT genes and aggressive behavior in schizophrenia.
Some studies have reported associations between COMT and MAO genotypes and aggression, though results have been inconsistent. We examined the relationship between Overt aggression scale (OAS) scores, and both MAOA and MAOB polymorphisms in a well-powered sample of 346 subjects with schizophrenia. We also examined COMT in a Stage II replication sample of 150 individuals, and combined these results with our previously reported (Stage I) findings for COMT. We found no evidence of any associations between OAS ratings and any of the polymorphisms investigated under different genetic models. There was no evidence of epistatic interaction between MAOA and COMT on OAS scores. These results fail to support the theory that functional polymorphisms within the MAOA, MAOB, or COMT genes, as determinants of catecholamine enzymatic activity, are risk factors for aggressive behavior.
Zammit
Stanley
S
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, United Kingdom. zammits@cardiff.ac.uk
Jones
Gaynor
G
Jones
Susan J
SJ
Norton
Nadine
N
Sanders
Robert D
RD
Milham
Charis
C
McCarthy
Geraldine M
GM
Jones
Lisa A
LA
Cardno
Alastair G
AG
Gray
Marion
M
Murphy
Kieran C
KC
O'Donovan
Michael C
MC
Owen
Michael J
MJ
D000374:Aggression; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase