[Association between the functional monoamine oxidase A gene polymorphism and aggressively driving behavior].
OBJECTIVE
This study is purposed to explore the relationship between aggressively driving behavior and functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA) gene.


METHODS
A total of 348 automobile drivers were investigated with Deffenbacher's driver anger scale, driving vengeance questionnaire (DVQ) and driver aggression behavior questionnaire. Eighty-eight drivers were selected as more, medium and less aggressive group, each. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 2.5% agarose gel electrophoresisi were adopted to detect the polymorphism of functional 30 bp-uVNTR in the promoter region of the X-chromosomal MAOA gene and their frequencies of varied genotypes were estimated.


RESULTS
Two alleles with 3 and 4 repeats of 30 bp-uVNTR were detected in the drivers. Among the more aggressive group, number of the allele with 3 repeats of 30 bp-uVNTR (63/88) was significantly more than that with 4 repeats (25/88) (chi(2) = 10.21, P < 0.01), and number of the allele with 4 repeats of 30 bp-uVNTR was more in the less aggressive group, indicating that persons with allele of 3 repeats of 30 bp VNTR were more aggressive in their driving than those with 4 repeats.


CONCLUSIONS
Aggressively driving behavior in drivers possibly related to their functional MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism. Effect of the gene on aggressively driving behavior should be further studied.
Li
Feng-Zhi
FZ
Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Li
Chang-Ji
CJ
Long
Yun-Fang
YF
Zhan
Cheng-Lie
CL
Yao
Wu
W
Tang
Hai-Feng
HF
Jin
Hui
H
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000235:genetics; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase