@article{ref1,
title="A regulatory polymorphism of the monoamine oxidase-A gene may be associated with variability in aggression, impulsivity, and central nervous system serotonergic responsivity",
journal="Psychiatry research",
year="2000",
author="Manuck, S. B. and Flory, Janine D. and Ferrell, R. E. and Mann, J. J. and Muldoon, M. F.",
volume="95",
number="1",
pages="9-23",
abstract="This study presents preliminary evidence of an association between polymorphic variation in the gene for monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA) and interindividual variability in aggressiveness, impulsivity and central nervous system (CNS) serotonergic responsivity. An apparently functional 30-bp VNTR in the promoter region of the X-chromosomal MAOA gene (MAOA-uVNTR), as well as a dinucleotide repeat in intron 2 (MAOA-CAn), was genotyped in a community sample of 110 men. All participants had completed standard interview and questionnaire measures of impulsivity, hostility and lifetime aggression history; in a majority of subjects (n=75), central serotonergic activity was also assessed by neuropsychopharmacologic challenge (prolactin response to fenfluramine hydrochloride). The four repeat variants of the MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism were grouped for analysis (alleles '1+ 4' vs. '2+3') based on prior evidence of enhanced transcriptional activity in MAOA promoter constructs with alleles 2 and 3 (repeats of intermediate length). Men in the 1/4 allele group scored significantly lower on a composite measure of dispositional aggressiveness and impulsivity (P<0.015) and showed more pronounced CNS serotonergic responsivity (P<0.02) than men in the 2/3 allele group. These associations were also significant on comparison of the more prevalent one and three alleles alone (encompassing 93% of subjects). Although in linkage disequilibrium with the MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism, MAOA-CAn repeat length variation did not vary significantly with respect to behavior or fenflluramine challenge in this sample. We conclude that the MAOA-uVNTR regulatory polymorphism may contribute, in part, to individual differences in both CNS serotonergic responsivity and personality traits germane to impulse control and antagonistic behavior.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-1781",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}