title: Mitigating aggressiveness through education? The monoamine oxidase A genotype and mental health in general population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene promoter region includes a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) associated with antisocial behaviour in adverse environment. We have examined the effect of the MAOA-uVNTR on mental health and academic success by using a population representative sample and a longitudinal design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data of the older cohort (n = 593, aged 15 years at the original sampling) of the longitudinal Estonian Children Personality, Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS) were used. Follow-ups were conducted at ages 18 and 25 years. Aggressiveness, inattention and hyperactivity were reported by class teachers or, at older age, self-reported. Stressful life events, psychological environment in the family and interactions between family members were self-reported. Data of general mental abilities and education were obtained at the age of 25, and lifetime psychiatric disorder assessment was carried out with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAOA-uVNTR genotype had no independent effect on aggressiveness, hyperactive and inattentive symptoms, and neither was there a genotype interaction with adverse life events. Interestingly, the proportion of male subjects with higher education by the age of 25 was significantly larger among those with MAOA low-activity alleles (χ² = 7.13; p = 0.008). Logistic regression revealed that MAOA low-activity alleles, higher mental abilities, occurrence of anxiety disorders and absence of substance-use disorder were significant independent predictors for higher education in male subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a population representative sample of young subjects, the MAOA-uVNTR 'risk genotype' predicted better life outcomes as expressed in higher level of education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiive
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kariina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laas
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Kirsti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akkermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comasco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oreland
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Veidebaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
authors.forename: Jaanus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000235:genetics*; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; C579458:monoamine oxidase A, human