Associations of a regulatory polymorphism of monoamine oxidase-A gene promoter (MAOA-uVNTR) with symptoms of depression and sleep quality.
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.
Brummett
Beverly H
BH
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. brummett@duke.edu
Krystal
Andrew D
AD
Siegler
Ilene C
IC
Kuhn
Cynthia
C
Surwit
Richard S
RS
Züchner
Stephan
S
Ashley-Koch
Allison
A
Barefoot
John C
JC
Williams
Redford B
RB
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
D008995:Monoamine Oxidase