Polymorphisms in the MAOA, MAOB, and COMT genes and aggressive behavior in schizophrenia

Stanley Zammit, Gaynor Jones, Susan J. Jones, Nadine Norton, Robert D. Sanders, Charis Milham, Geraldine M. McCarthy, Lisa A. Jones, Alastair G. Cardno, Marion Gray, Kieran C. Murphy, Michael C. O'Donovan, Michael J. Owen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

Some studies have reported associations between COMT and MAO genotypes and aggression, though results have been inconsistent. We examined he relationship between Overt aggression scale (OAS) scores, and both MAOA and MAOB polymorphisms in a well-powered sample of 346 subjects with schizophrenia. We also examined COMT in a Stage II replication sample of 150 individuals, and combined these results with our previously reported (Stage I) findings for COMT. We found no evidence of any associations between OAS ratings and any of the polymorphisms investigated under different genetic models. There was no evidence of epistatic interaction between MAOA and COMT on OAS scores. These results fail to support the theory that functional polymorphisms within the MAOA, MAOB, or COMT genes, as determinants of catecholamine enzymatic activity, are risk factors for aggressive behavior.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19-20
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics - Neuropsychiatric Genetics
Volume128 B
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2004

Keywords

  • Aggression
  • Association
  • Catecholamines
  • Epistasis
  • Functional

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics(clinical)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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