title: Associations of a regulatory polymorphism of monoamine oxidase-A gene promoter (MAOA-uVNTR) with symptoms of depression and sleep quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationships among the variable number of tandem repeats in the monoamine oxidase-A linked polymorphic region allelic variation (MAOA-uVNTR) and the symptoms of depression and sleep quality. The monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA) gene, which plays a vital role in degradation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contains a polymorphism in its promoter region (MAOA-uVNTR) that affects transcriptional efficiency. MAOA-uVNTR genotype has been associated with both psychological and physical measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 74 males enrolled in a case/control study of caregivers for relatives with dementia. Age- and race-adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the association between low versus high MAOA-uVNTR activity alleles, symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression), and sleep quality ratings (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAOA-uVNTR alleles associated with less transcriptional activity were related to increased symptoms of depression (p < .04; Cohen's d = 0.52) and poorer sleep quality (p < .04; Cohen's d = 0.31).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with less active MAOA-uVNTR alleles may be at increased risk for depressive symptoms and poor sleep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. brummett@duke.edu
authors.forename: Beverly H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Brummett
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Krystal
authors.forename: Ilene C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Siegler
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Surwit
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Züchner
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ashley-Koch
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barefoot
authors.forename: Redford B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012306:Risk; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences
chemical_list: D008995:Monoamine Oxidase