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Neri L, Marziani B, Sebastiani P, Del Beato T, Colanardi A, Legge MP, Aureli A. Aggressiveness in Italian Children with ADHD: MAOA Gene Polymorphism Involvement. Diseases 2024; 12:70. [PMID: 38667528 PMCID: PMC11049508 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12040070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that children and adults can develop. A complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors may underlie interindividual variability in ADHD and potentially related aggressive behavior. Using high-resolution molecular biology techniques, we investigated the impact of some MAOA and SLC6A4 variations on ADHD and aggressive behavior in a group of 80 Italian children with ADHD and in 80 healthy controls. We found that homozygous genotypes of MAOA rs6323 and rs1137070 were associated with an increased risk of ADHD (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively), whereas the heterozygous genotypes (GT of rs6323 and CT of rs1137030) (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0006) were strongly linked to a lower risk of developing this disorder. In patients with aggressive behavior, we highlighted only a weak negative association of both MAOA polymorphisms (heterozygous genotypes) with aggressiveness, suggesting that these genotypes may be protective towards specific changes in behavior (p = 0.05). Interestingly, an increase in the GG genotype of rs6323 (p = 0.01) and a decrease in GT genotype (p = 0.0005) was also found in patients without aggressive behavior compared to controls. Regarding 5HTT gene genotyping, no allele and genotype differences have been detected among patients and controls. Our work shows that defining a genetic profile of ADHD may help in the early detection of patients who are more vulnerable to ADHD and/or antisocial and aggressive behavior and to design precision-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovico Neri
- Neurology and Psychiatry Unit for Children and Adolescents, San Salvatore Hospital, via L. Natali, 1, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.N.); (M.P.L.)
| | - Beatrice Marziani
- Emergency Medicine Department, Sant’Anna University Hospital, Via A. Moro, 8, Cona, 44124 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Pierluigi Sebastiani
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Via Carducci 32, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (P.S.); (T.D.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Tiziana Del Beato
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Via Carducci 32, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (P.S.); (T.D.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessia Colanardi
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Via Carducci 32, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (P.S.); (T.D.B.); (A.C.)
| | - Maria Pia Legge
- Neurology and Psychiatry Unit for Children and Adolescents, San Salvatore Hospital, via L. Natali, 1, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (L.N.); (M.P.L.)
| | - Anna Aureli
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Via Carducci 32, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (P.S.); (T.D.B.); (A.C.)
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Hofmann L, Wagner B. Men's Behavior and Communication in the Days Prior to a Suicide-A Psychological Autopsy Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6668. [PMID: 37681808 PMCID: PMC10488060 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Men show a significantly higher suicide rate, are less often recognized as persons at risk, and are more difficult to reach for suicide prevention interventions. Warning signs and deterioration in mental health are often not recognized by their surroundings. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the behavior and communication of men before a suicide, how relatives noticed changes, and how the interaction was perceived. N = 15 individuals who lost a close male relative to suicide were interviewed using psychological autopsy interviews. The interviews were evaluated following a deductive-inductive approach while using a comprehensive category system. The majority of men showed changes in behavior before the suicide, especially social withdrawal, irritability, and generally a deterioration in mental health. In fact, men did communicate their suicidal thoughts before they died through suicide, but mainly indirectly. While only one-third of the deceased made preparations before suicide, the majority of relatives noticed a deterioration in the mental health of the individual as well as increased alcohol and substance use. Men show signs of suicide, which are little recognized by their surroundings. Suicide prevention interventions should be adapted more to the needs of men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hofmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical School Berlin, 14197 Berlin, Germany;
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3
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Spies M, Murgaš M, Vraka C, Philippe C, Gryglewski G, Nics L, Balber T, Baldinger-Melich P, Hartmann AM, Rujescu D, Hacker M, Winkler-Pjrek E, Winkler D, Lanzenberger R. Impact of genetic variants within serotonin turnover enzymes on human cerebral monoamine oxidase A in vivo. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:208. [PMID: 37322010 PMCID: PMC10272199 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02506-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants within the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A, MAOA) and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) genes, the main enzymes in cerebral serotonin (5-HT) turnover, affect risk for depression. Depressed cohorts show increased cerebral MAO-A in positron emission tomography (PET) studies. TPH2 polymorphisms might also influence brain MAO-A because availability of substrates (i.e. monoamine concentrations) were shown to affect MAO-A levels. We assessed the effect of MAOA (rs1137070, rs2064070, rs6323) and TPH2 (rs1386494, rs4570625) variants associated with risk for depression and related clinical phenomena on global MAO-A distribution volume (VT) using [11C]harmine PET in 51 participants (21 individuals with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and 30 healthy individuals (HI)). Statistical analyses comprised general linear models with global MAO-A VT as dependent variable, genotype as independent variable and age, sex, group (individuals with SAD, HI) and season as covariates. rs1386494 genotype significantly affected global MAO-A VT after correction for age, group and sex (p < 0.05, corr.), with CC homozygotes showing 26% higher MAO-A levels. The role of rs1386494 on TPH2 function or expression is poorly understood. Our results suggest rs1386494 might have an effect on either, assuming that TPH2 and MAO-A levels are linked by their common product/substrate, 5-HT. Alternatively, rs1386494 might influence MAO-A levels via another mechanism, such as co-inheritance of other genetic variants. Our results provide insight into how genetic variants within serotonin turnover translate to the cerebral serotonin system. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02582398. EUDAMED Number: CIV-AT-13-01-009583.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Spies
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matej Murgaš
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chrysoula Vraka
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cecile Philippe
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Gryglewski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lukas Nics
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Balber
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Applied Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pia Baldinger-Melich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Edda Winkler-Pjrek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dietmar Winkler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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4
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Wyns A, Hendrix J, Lahousse A, De Bruyne E, Nijs J, Godderis L, Polli A. The Biology of Stress Intolerance in Patients with Chronic Pain—State of the Art and Future Directions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12062245. [PMID: 36983246 PMCID: PMC10057496 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress has been consistently linked to negative impacts on physical and mental health. More specifically, patients with chronic pain experience stress intolerance, which is an exacerbation or occurrence of symptoms in response to any type of stress. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unsolved. In this state-of-the-art paper, we summarised the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the two major stress response systems in stress intolerance. We provided insights into such mechanisms based on evidence from clinical studies in both patients with chronic pain, showing dysregulated stress systems, and healthy controls supported by preclinical studies, highlighting the link between these systems and symptoms of stress intolerance. Furthermore, we explored the possible regulating role for (epi)genetic mechanisms influencing the ANS and HPA axis. The link between stress and chronic pain has become an important area of research as it has the potential to inform the development of interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain. As stress has become a prevalent concern in modern society, understanding the connection between stress, HPA axis, ANS, and chronic health conditions such as chronic pain is crucial to improve public health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Wyns
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
| | - Jolien Hendrix
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Astrid Lahousse
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Rehabilitation Research (RERE) Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy (KIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Department of Hematology and Immunology-Myeloma Center Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Chronic Pain Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Unit of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, IDEWE, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Andrea Polli
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.W.); (A.L.); (J.N.); (A.P.)
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Flanders Research Foundation-FWO, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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5
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Kanarik M, Grimm O, Mota NR, Reif A, Harro J. ADHD co-morbidities: A review of implication of gene × environment effects with dopamine-related genes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 139:104757. [PMID: 35777579 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
ADHD is a major burden in adulthood, where co-morbid conditions such as depression, substance use disorder and obesity often dominate the clinical picture. ADHD has substantial shared heritability with other mental disorders, contributing to comorbidity. However, environmental risk factors exist but their interaction with genetic makeup, especially in relation to comorbid disorders, remains elusive. This review for the first time summarizes present knowledge on gene x environment (GxE) interactions regarding the dopamine system. Hitherto, mainly candidate (GxE) studies were performed, focusing on the genes DRD4, DAT1 and MAOA. Some evidence suggest that the variable number tandem repeats in DRD4 and MAOA may mediate GxE interactions in ADHD generally, and comorbid conditions specifically. Nevertheless, even for these genes, common variants are bound to suggest risk only in the context of gender and specific environments. For other polymorphisms, evidence is contradictory and less convincing. Particularly lacking are longitudinal studies testing the interaction of well-defined environmental with polygenic risk scores reflecting the dopamine system in its entirety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margus Kanarik
- Chair of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A Chemicum, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Oliver Grimm
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nina Roth Mota
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jaanus Harro
- Chair of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A Chemicum, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; Psychiatry Clinic, North Estonia Medical Centre, Paldiski Road 52, 10614 Tallinn, Estonia.
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6
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Associations between Omega-3 Index, Dopaminergic Genetic Variants and Aggressive and Metacognitive Traits: A Study in Adult Male Prisoners. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071379. [PMID: 35405990 PMCID: PMC9002862 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) are critical for cell membrane structure and function. Human beings have a limited ability to synthesise docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main n-3 LCPUFA required for neurological development. Inadequate levels of n-3 LCPUFA can affect the dopaminergic system in the brain and, when combined with genetic and other factors, increase the risk of developing aggression, inattention and impulse-control disorders. In this study, male prisoners were administered questionnaires assessing aggressive behaviour and executive functions. Participants also produced blood sampling for the measurement of the Omega-3 Index and the genotyping of dopaminergic genetic variants. Significant associations were found between functional genetic polymorphism in DBH rs1611115 and verbal aggression and between DRD2 rs4274224 and executive functions. However, the Omega-3 Index was not significantly associated with the tested dopaminergic polymorphisms. Although previous interactions between specific genotypes and n-3 LCPUFA were previously reported, they remain limited and poorly understood. We did not find any association between n-3 LCPUFA and dopaminergic polymorphisms in adult male prisoners; however, we confirmed the importance of genetic predisposition for dopaminergic genes (DBH and DRD2) in aggressive behaviour, memory dysfunction and attention-deficit disorder.
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7
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Cahill S, Chandola T, Hager R. Genetic Variants Associated With Resilience in Human and Animal Studies. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:840120. [PMID: 35669264 PMCID: PMC9163442 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.840120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Resilience is broadly defined as the ability to maintain or regain functioning in the face of adversity and is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The identification of specific genetic factors and their biological pathways underpinning resilient functioning can help in the identification of common key factors, but heterogeneities in the operationalisation of resilience have hampered advances. We conducted a systematic review of genetic variants associated with resilience to enable the identification of general resilience mechanisms. We adopted broad inclusion criteria for the definition of resilience to capture both human and animal model studies, which use a wide range of resilience definitions and measure very different outcomes. Analyzing 158 studies, we found 71 candidate genes associated with resilience. OPRM1 (Opioid receptor mu 1), NPY (neuropeptide Y), CACNA1C (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C), DCC (deleted in colorectal carcinoma), and FKBP5 (FKBP prolyl isomerase 5) had both animal and human variants associated with resilience, supporting the idea of shared biological pathways. Further, for OPRM1, OXTR (oxytocin receptor), CRHR1 (corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1), COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), APOE (apolipoprotein E), and SLC6A4 (solute carrier family 6 member 4), the same allele was associated with resilience across divergent resilience definitions, which suggests these genes may therefore provide a starting point for further research examining commonality in resilience pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cahill
- Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Humanities, Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tarani Chandola
- Faculty of Humanities, Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Methods Hub, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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8
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Felthous AR, Saß H. International perspectives on psychopathy research: An introductory essay. BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2021; 39:507-511. [PMID: 34845748 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Felthous
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Henning Saß
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Technology (RWTH), Aachen/Aix-la-Chapelle, Germany
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9
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Sarwar S, Hasnain S. Association of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and T941G polymorphism of monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) gene with aggression in Pakistani subjects. Afr Health Sci 2021; 21:180-188. [PMID: 34394296 PMCID: PMC8356572 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v21i1.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human behavioral traits are known to be significantly heritable. Certain individuals have a greater tendency of negative behavioral aspects including aggression. The quest to identify tunderlying genetic causes has led to identification of a number of genetic markers, one of them is the monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) gene. Objective We aimed to genotype a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) in the promoter region and a functional SNP within this gene (T941G, dbSNP ID: rs6323) in the recruited cohort of 482 subjects. Methods After DNA isolation, genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP and the results were confirmed by sequencing. Results For VNTRs, the results showed, highest frequency of 3.5 repeats in males and 4 repeats in females in the promoter region. The genotype frequencies for the SNP in cases were GG=16.3%, TG=20.6% and TT=63.1%, while in controls, the frequencies were GG=12.7%, TG=6.3%, and TT=81.0%. The allele frequencies were significantly different between cases and controls (p=0.015; OR=1.51; CI=1.085–2.102). Conclusion The selected VNTR and SNP appeared to be significantly associated with aggression. These VNTRs and SNP have not been studied previously in the Pakistani population, hence they represent a unique ethnic group. These results, however, would have to be replicated in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumbal Sarwar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, 54590
| | - Shahida Hasnain
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, 54590
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10
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Ludwig B, Carlberg L, Kienesberger K, Swoboda P, Mitschek MMM, Bernegger A, Koller R, Inaner M, Senft B, Meisner L, Fischer-Hansal D, Affenzeller A, Huber J, Schoenthaler S, Kapusta ND, Haslacher H, Aigner M, Weinhaeusel A, Kasper S, Schosser A. Monoamino Oxidase A Gene Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Methylation Status and the Risk of Violent Suicide Attempts in Affective Disorder Patients. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:667191. [PMID: 34421667 PMCID: PMC8378401 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.667191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: When investigating the neurobiology of suicidal behavior, Monoamino Oxidase A (MAOA) is one of the prime suspects to consider. Interestingly, MAOA dysregulation has also been associated with violent behavior in previous publications. In the present study, we aimed to establish an association between polymorphisms of the MAOA gene and methylation status of the MAOA gene Exon I, and suicide attempts with violent methods in a sample of affective disorder patients. Methods: Eight hundred fourteen Caucasian affective disorder patients were assessed at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Medical University Vienna, the Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science and Zentren für seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med Leopoldau. An assemblage of psychiatric interviews was performed (e.g., SCAN, HAMD, SBQ-R, CTQ) and DNA samples of peripheral blood cells were collected for Sequenom MassARRAY® iPLEX Gold genotyping and Multiplexed and Sensitive DNA Methylation Testing. Results: Female affective disorder patients with a history of violent suicide attempt were found to have a significantly increased frequency of the AA genotype in the rs5906957 single nucleotide polymorphism (p = 0.003). Furthermore, the MAOA gene exon I promoter region showed significantly decreased methylation in female violent suicide attempter(s) as opposed to female affective disorder patients who had no history of suicide attempt or no history of suicide attempt with violent method. Limitations: The small sample size hampers to reveal small genetic effects as to be expected in psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: This study offers promising findings about associations between the MAOA gene and violent suicide especially in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Ludwig
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Carlberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klemens Kienesberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Swoboda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marleen M M Mitschek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Bernegger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Romina Koller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle Inaner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Senft
- Zentren für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lisa Meisner
- Zentren für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Fischer-Hansal
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Zentren für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jasmin Huber
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Health and Environment Department, Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Silvia Schoenthaler
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Health and Environment Department, Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nestor D Kapusta
- Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmuth Haslacher
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Aigner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Karl Landsteiner University for Health and Science, Tulln, Austria
| | - Andreas Weinhaeusel
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Health and Environment Department, Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Schosser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Zentren für Seelische Gesundheit, BBRZ-Med, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Detention in Juvenile Correctional Facilities Is Associated with Higher Platelet Monoamine Oxidase B Activity in Males. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111555. [PMID: 33203099 PMCID: PMC7697475 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Juvenile delinquency is related to several biological factors, yet very few vulnerability biomarkers have been identified. Previous data suggest that the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) influences several personality traits linked to the propensity to engage in delinquent behavior. Building on this evidence, we assessed whether conduct disorder (CD), juvenile delinquency adjudications, or detention in a correctional facility were associated with either platelet MAO-B activity or the MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism. The study enrolled 289 medication-free male youths, including 182 individuals detained in a correctional facility (with or without a diagnosis of CD). Of the remaining 107 participants, 26 subjects had a diagnosis of CD, and 81 were mentally healthy controls. Platelet MAO-B activity was determined by spectrophotofluorometry, while MAOB rs1799836 was genotyped using qPCR. Platelet MAO-B activity, corrected for age and smoking, was significantly higher in juvenile detainees (p < 0.001), irrespective of CD diagnosis. MAOB rs1799836 was not associated with platelet MAO-B activity or with detention in a correctional facility, CD diagnosis, or delinquent behavior. These data suggest that detention in a juvenile correctional facility increases platelet MAO-B activity in male adolescents. Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms and functional significance of MAO-B peripheral elevation in juvenile male detainees.
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Kolla NJ, Bortolato M. The role of monoamine oxidase A in the neurobiology of aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior: A tale of mice and men. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 194:101875. [PMID: 32574581 PMCID: PMC7609507 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, research has revealed that genetic factors shape the propensity for aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior. The best-documented gene implicated in aggression is MAOA (Monoamine oxidase A), which encodes the key enzyme for the degradation of serotonin and catecholamines. Congenital MAOA deficiency, as well as low-activity MAOA variants, has been associated with a higher risk for antisocial behavior (ASB) and violence, particularly in males with a history of child maltreatment. Indeed, the interplay between low MAOA genetic variants and early-life adversity is the best-documented gene × environment (G × E) interaction in the pathophysiology of aggression and ASB. Additional evidence indicates that low MAOA activity in the brain is strongly associated with a higher propensity for aggression; furthermore, MAOA inhibition may be one of the primary mechanisms whereby prenatal smoke exposure increases the risk of ASB. Complementary to these lines of evidence, mouse models of Maoa deficiency and G × E interactions exhibit striking similarities with clinical phenotypes, proving to be valuable tools to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying antisocial and aggressive behavior. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the knowledge on the involvement of MAOA in aggression, as defined by preclinical and clinical evidence. In particular, we show how the convergence of human and animal research is proving helpful to our understanding of how MAOA influences antisocial and violent behavior and how it may assist in the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies for aggressive manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Kolla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Research Imaging Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada; Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON, Canada; Translational Initiative on Antisocial Personality Disorder (TrIAD); Program of Research on Violence Etiology, Neurobiology, and Treatment (PReVENT).
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Translational Initiative on Antisocial Personality Disorder (TrIAD); Program of Research on Violence Etiology, Neurobiology, and Treatment (PReVENT).
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Alia-Klein N, Gan G, Gilam G, Bezek J, Bruno A, Denson TF, Hendler T, Lowe L, Mariotti V, Muscatello MR, Palumbo S, Pellegrini S, Pietrini P, Rizzo A, Verona E. The feeling of anger: From brain networks to linguistic expressions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 108:480-497. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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14
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Single nucleotide polymorphisms, variable number tandem repeats and allele influence on serotonergic enzyme modulators for aggressive and suicidal behaviors: A review. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 180:74-82. [PMID: 30928299 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The serotonergic system plays key regulatory roles in cognition and emotion. Several lines of evidence suggest that genetic variation is associated with aggressive and suicidal behaviors. Genetic studies have largely focused on three types of variations: single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs), and alleles. 95 published papers (49 papers for aggression and 46 for suicide) were reviewed to summarize the impact of SNPs, VNTRs, and alleles of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH, the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin [5-HT] synthesis), 5-HT transporter (5-HTT), serotonergic receptors, monoamine oxidase (an enzyme that catalyzes 5-HT degradation) on aggression and suicidal behaviors. These study samples include healthy controls, psychiatric disease patients, and animal models. This article mainly reviews studies on the relationship between 5-HT transmissions and genetic variations involved in aggression (particularly impulsive aggression) or suicide in people with different ethnicities and psychiatric disorders. We found that most SNPs, VNTRs, and alleles exerted influences on aggression or suicide. Only A128C in TPH1, A138G in 5-HT2A, and L type in the VNTR of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) affected both aggression and suicide. The associations between some genetic variations and aggression/suicide may be influenced by gender, age, ethnicity, psychiatric disease, and even parenting or prenatal stress. These findings may help clarify how genetic and environmental factors influence the development of aggressive and suicidal behaviors.
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15
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Differences in SNP genotype distributions between complex and simple suicides. Int J Legal Med 2018; 132:1595-1601. [PMID: 29557505 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-018-1820-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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16
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Genetic variants in oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and childhood physical abuse collaborate to modify the risk of aggression in chinese adolescents. J Affect Disord 2018; 229:105-110. [PMID: 29306689 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that genetic and environmental factors may influence aggression susceptibility. However, the etiology of aggressive behavior remains unknown. Compared to some extensively studied candidate genes of aggression, very little is known about the OXTR gene. The objective of this study was to determine whether OXTR genetic variants were associated with aggression risk and whether these polymorphisms showed interactive effects with childhood maltreatment on aggression in Chinese adolescents. METHODS A total of 996 participants including 488 cases and 488 controls were selected in our study. Aggression, childhood maltreatment were measured by self-reported questionnaire. Buccal cells were collected. Genotyping was performed using SNPscan. Logistic regressions were used to estimate both main effects of OXTR polymorphisms and the interactive effects with childhood maltreatment on aggressive behavior. RESULTS Participants who carried the rs237885 TT genotypes in OXTR had a higher risk of aggression compared to those who carried GG or GT genotypes under the recessive model (OR=1.40, 95% CI, 1.04-1.89) after controlling for potential confounders. In addition, we also found that the polymorphism had a synergic additive interaction with childhood physical abuse on the aggression risk. LIMITATIONS The subjects in the present study were only males, thus our findings and conclusions could not be generalized to females. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides evidence that OXTR genetic variants may contribute to aggression susceptibility. Moreover, this is the first study reporting significant interactive effects of OXTR polymorphism and childhood physical abuse on aggressive behavior in Chinese adolescents.
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Hunt T, Wilson CJ, Caputi P, Woodward A, Wilson I. Signs of current suicidality in men: A systematic review. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174675. [PMID: 28355268 PMCID: PMC5371342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Suicide signs have been identified by expert consensus and are relied on by service providers, community helpers' and family members to identify suicidal men. Whether signs that are reported in suicide literature accurately describe male presentations of suicidality is unclear. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify male-specific signs of current suicidality and identify gaps in the literature for future research. Searches through Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo and the Behavioral Sciences Collection, guided by the PRISMA-P statement, identified 12 studies that met the study eligibility criteria. Although the results generally reflected suicide signs identified by expert consensus, there is little research that has examined male-specific signs of the current suicidal state. This review highlights the need for scientific research to clarify male presentation of suicidality. Implications for future research to improve the prompt identification of suicidal men are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Hunt
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Coralie J. Wilson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Peter Caputi
- School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Alan Woodward
- Lifeline Research Foundation, Lifeline Australia, Canberra, Australia
- Suicide Prevention Australia, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ian Wilson
- School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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18
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Balestri M, Calati R, Serretti A, Hartmann AM, Konte B, Friedl M, Giegling I, Rujescu D. Maoa and Maob polymorphisms and personality traits in suicide attempters and healthy controls: a preliminary study. Psychiatry Res 2017; 249:212-217. [PMID: 28119174 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Serotonergic neurotransmission dysfunctions have been well documented in patients with suicidal behaviour. We investigated monoamine oxidase A (MAOA: rs2064070, rs6323, rs909525) and B (MAOB: rs1799836, rs2311013, rs2205655) genetic modulation of personality traits (Temperament and Character Inventory, TCI) as endophenotype for suicidal behaviour. 108 suicide attempters and 286 healthy controls of German origin were screened. Among females, allelic analyses revealed associations between MAOA rs6323 A allele and higher Harm Avoidance in suicide attempters and MAOB rs2205655 A allele and higher Cooperativeness scores in healthy controls. Among males, MAOA rs909525 A allele was associated with higher Reward Dependence in suicide attempters. Multivariate analyses controlling for age and educational level mainly confirmed results. Case-control analyses in this subsample do not differ from our previously reported one. Despite of the small sample size, a possible involvement of these genes in the modulation of personality traits closely related to suicidal behaviour cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Balestri
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Raffaella Calati
- INSERM U1061, University of Montpellier UM1, FondaMental Foundation, Montpellier, France
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Bettina Konte
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Marion Friedl
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Ina Giegling
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
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19
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McGregor NW, Hemmings SMJ, Erdman L, Calmarza-Font I, Stein DJ, Lochner C. Modification of the association between early adversity and obsessive-compulsive disorder by polymorphisms in the MAOA, MAOB and COMT genes. Psychiatry Res 2016; 246:527-532. [PMID: 27821364 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The monoamine oxidases (MAOA/B) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzymes break down regulatory components within serotonin and dopamine pathways, and polymorphisms within these genes are candidates for OCD susceptibility. Childhood trauma has been linked OCD psychopathology, but little attention has been paid to the interactions between genes and environment in OCD aetiology. This pilot study investigated gene-by-environment interactions between childhood trauma and polymorphisms in the MAOA, MAOB and COMT genes in OCD. Ten polymorphisms (MAOA: 3 variants, MAOB: 4 variants, COMT: 3 variants) were genotyped in a cohort of OCD patients and controls. Early-life trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Gene-by-gene (GxG) and gene-by-environment interactions (GxE) of the variants and childhood trauma were assessed using logistic regression models. Significant GxG interactions were found between rs362204 (COMT) and two independent polymorphisms in the MAOB gene (rs1799836 and rs6651806). Haplotype associations for OCD susceptibility were found for MAOB. Investigation of GxE interactions indicated that the sexual abuse sub-category was significantly associated with all three genes in haplotype x environment interaction analyses. Preliminary findings indicate that polymorphisms within the MAOB and COMT genes interact resulting in risk for OCD. Childhood trauma interacts with haplotypes in COMT, MAOA and MAOB, increasing risk for OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- N W McGregor
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa; Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - S M J Hemmings
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - L Erdman
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - I Calmarza-Font
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - D J Stein
- US/UCT MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Lochner
- US/UCT MRC Unit on Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
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20
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Nikolac Perkovic M, Svob Strac D, Nedic Erjavec G, Uzun S, Podobnik J, Kozumplik O, Vlatkovic S, Pivac N. Monoamine oxidase and agitation in psychiatric patients. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 69:131-46. [PMID: 26851573 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Subjects with schizophrenia or conduct disorder display a lifelong pattern of antisocial, aggressive and violent behavior and agitation. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme involved in the degradation of various monoamine neurotransmitters and neuromodulators and therefore has a role in various psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and pathological behaviors. Platelet MAO-B activity has been associated with psychopathy- and aggression-related personality traits, while variants of the MAOA and MAOB genes have been associated with diverse clinical phenotypes, including aggressiveness, antisocial problems and violent delinquency. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of platelet MAO-B activity, MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism and MAOA uVNTR polymorphism with severe agitation in 363 subjects with schizophrenia and conduct disorder. The results demonstrated significant association of severe agitation and smoking, but not diagnosis or age, with platelet MAO-B activity. Higher platelet MAO-B activity was found in subjects with severe agitation compared to non-agitated subjects. Platelet MAO-B activity was not associated with MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism. These results suggested the association between increased platelet MAO-B activity and severe agitation. No significant association was found between severe agitation and MAOA uVNTR or MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism, revealing that these individual polymorphisms in MAO genes are not related to severe agitation in subjects with schizophrenia and conduct disorder. As our study included 363 homogenous Caucasian male subjects, our data showing this negative genetic association will be a useful addition to future meta-analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Suzana Uzun
- Clinic for Psychiatry Vrapce, Bolnicka cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Podobnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital for Children and Youth Zagreb, Kukuljeviceva 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Oliver Kozumplik
- Clinic for Psychiatry Vrapce, Bolnicka cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Nela Pivac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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21
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Svob Strac D, Kovacic Petrovic Z, Nikolac Perkovic M, Umolac D, Nedic Erjavec G, Pivac N. Platelet monoamine oxidase type B, MAOB intron 13 and MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Stress 2016; 19:362-73. [PMID: 27112218 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2016.1174849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder that develops following exposure to traumatic experience(s), is frequently associated with agitation, aggressive behavior and psychotic symptoms. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) degrades different biogenic amines and regulates mood, emotions and behavior, and has a role in the pathophysiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between different symptoms occurring in PTSD [PTSD symptom severity assessed by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), agitation and selected psychotic symptoms assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)] and platelet MAO-B activity and/or genetic variants of MAOB rs1799836 and MAOA-uVNTR polymorphisms in 249 Croatian male veterans with PTSD. Our study revealed slightly higher platelet MAO-B activity in veterans with PTSD with more severe PTSD symptoms and in veterans with agitation, and significantly higher platelet MAO-B activity in veterans with more pronounced psychotic symptoms compared to veterans with less pronounced psychotic symptoms. Platelet MAO-B activity was associated with smoking but not with age. Genetic variants of MAOB rs1799836 and MAOA-uVNTR were not associated with agitation and selected psychotic symptoms in veterans with PTSD. A marginally significant association was found between MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism and severity of PTSD symptoms, but it was not confirmed since carriers of G or A allele of MAOB rs1799836 did not differ in their total CAPS scores. These findings suggest an association of platelet MAO-B activity, but a lack of association of MAOB rs1799836 and MAOA-uVNTR, with selected psychotic symptoms in ethnically homogenous veterans with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dubravka Svob Strac
- a Division of Molecular Medicine , Rudjer Boskovic Institute , Zagreb , Croatia
| | - Zrnka Kovacic Petrovic
- b Department of Psychopharmacology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine , University of Zagreb, Zagreb , Croatia
- c Department of Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatry, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce , Zagreb , Croatia
| | | | - Danica Umolac
- a Division of Molecular Medicine , Rudjer Boskovic Institute , Zagreb , Croatia
| | | | - Nela Pivac
- a Division of Molecular Medicine , Rudjer Boskovic Institute , Zagreb , Croatia
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22
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Fernàndez-Castillo N, Cormand B. Aggressive behavior in humans: Genes and pathways identified through association studies. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171:676-96. [PMID: 26773414 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior has both genetic and environmental components. Many association studies have been performed to identify genetic factors underlying aggressive behaviors in humans. In this review we summarize the previous work performed in this field, considering both candidate gene (CGAS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), excluding those performed in samples where the primary diagnosis is a psychiatric or neurological disorder other than an aggression-related phenotype. Subsequently, we have studied the enrichment of pathways and functions in GWAS data. The results of our searches show that most CGAS have identified associations with genes involved in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission and in hormone regulation. On the other hand, GWAS have not yet identified genome-wide significant associations, but top nominal findings are related to several signaling pathways, such as axon guidance or estrogen receptor signaling, and also to neurodevelopmental processes and synaptic plasticity. Future studies should use larger samples, homogeneous phenotypes and standardized measurements to identify genes that underlie aggressive behaviors in humans. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Spain
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23
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Veroude K, Zhang-James Y, Fernàndez-Castillo N, Bakker MJ, Cormand B, Faraone SV. Genetics of aggressive behavior: An overview. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2016; 171B:3-43. [PMID: 26345359 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) address three types of aggression: frustrative non-reward, defensive aggression and offensive/proactive aggression. This review sought to present the evidence for genetic underpinnings of aggression and to determine to what degree prior studies have examined phenotypes that fit into the RDoC framework. Although the constructs of defensive and offensive aggression have been widely used in the animal genetics literature, the human literature is mostly agnostic with regard to all the RDoC constructs. We know from twin studies that about half the variance in behavior may be explained by genetic risk factors. This is true for both dimensional, trait-like, measures of aggression and categorical definitions of psychopathology. The non-shared environment seems to have a moderate influence with the effects of shared environment being unclear. Human molecular genetic studies of aggression are in an early stage. The most promising candidates are in the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems along with hormonal regulators. Genome-wide association studies have not yet achieved genome-wide significance, but current samples are too small to detect variants having the small effects one would expect for a complex disorder. The strongest molecular evidence for a genetic basis for aggression comes from animal models comparing aggressive and non-aggressive strains or documenting the effects of gene knockouts. Although we have learned much from these prior studies, future studies should improve the measurement of aggression by using a systematic method of measurement such as that proposed by the RDoC initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Veroude
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanli Zhang-James
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Noèlia Fernàndez-Castillo
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Mireille J Bakker
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bru Cormand
- Departament de Genètica, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Catalonia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Spain
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,Departments of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York.,K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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24
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Chen C, Liu C, Chen C, Moyzis R, Chen W, Dong Q. Genetic variations in the serotoninergic system and environmental factors contribute to aggressive behavior in Chinese adolescents. Physiol Behav 2014; 138:62-8. [PMID: 25447480 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior is a major public health problem worldwide and has been associated with many gene variants, especially those related to the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system, and environmental factors. However, the overall contribution of serotonin-related genes to aggressive behavior is not well understood. With a sample of 478 healthy Chinese volunteers, this study investigated the relation between aggressive behavior and genetic variations of the serotoninergic system (as characterized by 129 representative polymorphisms) interacting with environmental factors (parental warmth and acceptance; stressful life events). We adopted a system-level approach to identify SNPs and environmental factors associated with aggressive behavior, and estimated their overall contribution to aggressive behavior using multiple regression, which was then verified by permutation analysis. We identified 12 SNPs that made statistically significant contributions to aggressive behavior. Next, main effects, interactions among these SNPs, and interactions between these SNPs and environmental factors were assessed using multiple regression. The final model accounted for approximately 19% of the variance for aggressive behavior. Permutation analysis confirmed that the probability of obtaining these findings by chance was low (p=0.045, permuted for 1000 times). These results showed that genetic variations in the serotoninergic system, combined with environmental risk factors, made a moderate contribution to individual differences in aggressive behavior among a healthy population sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Chuansheng Chen
- Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Robert Moyzis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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25
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Nedic Erjavec G, Nenadic Sviglin K, Nikolac Perkovic M, Muck-Seler D, Jovanovic T, Pivac N. Association of gene polymorphisms encoding dopaminergic system components and platelet MAO-B activity with alcohol dependence and alcohol dependence-related phenotypes. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 54:321-7. [PMID: 25035107 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the association of alcohol dependence and alcohol dependence-related phenotypes with platelet monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity, Val108/158Met of catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the third exon of dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene, VNTR in the 3'-untranslated region of dopamine transporter (DAT) gene, -1021C/T of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and MAO-B intron 13 polymorphisms. The study included 1270 Caucasian men and women of Croatian origin: 690 patients with alcohol dependence and 580 healthy controls. Patients with alcohol dependence were subdivided according to the presence or absence of withdrawal symptoms, aggressive behavior, severity of alcohol dependence, delirium tremens, comorbid depression, suicidal behavior, lifetime suicide attempt and early/late onset of alcohol abuse. The results, corrected for multiple testing, revealed increased platelet MAO-B activity in patients with alcohol dependence, subdivided into those with or without alcohol-related liver diseases, compared to control subjects (P<0.001). In addition, we found an increased frequency of the COMT Met/Met genotype among suicidal (P=0.002) and patients who attempted suicide (P<0.001) and an increased frequency of COMT Val/Val genotype in patients with an early onset of alcohol dependence (P=0.004). This study provides data from a sample of ethnically homogeneous unrelated Caucasian subjects for future meta-analyses and suggests that the increased platelet MAO-B activity might be used as independent peripheral indicator of alcohol dependence, while COMT Val108/158Met polymorphism is associated with increased suicidality and early onset of alcohol dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Korona Nenadic Sviglin
- Center for Alcoholism and Other Addictions, Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Dorotea Muck-Seler
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nela Pivac
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
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26
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Antypa N, Serretti A. Highlights from the latest articles in suicide research. Per Med 2014; 11:255-258. [PMID: 29764061 DOI: 10.2217/pme.14.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niki Antypa
- Department of Biomedical & NeuroMotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale C Pepoli 5, Bologna 40123, Italy.,Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- Department of Biomedical & NeuroMotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Viale C Pepoli 5, Bologna 40123, Italy
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27
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The glutamate system as a therapeutic target and impact of genes on suicidality. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2013; 263:365-6. [PMID: 23818152 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-013-0418-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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