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 Conlon O'Donovan, Michael John Owen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

74 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Some studies have reported associations between COMT and MAO genotypes and aggression, though results have been inconsistent. We examined the 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
Pages (from-to)19-20
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics
Volume128B
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2004

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