A gene involved in the regulation of emotions and behaviour could influence the long-term impact of violence experienced in childhood on antisocial behaviour. This is the finding of a longitudinal study carried out by a team of researchers at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal) and Université de Montréal on 327 young men who live in Quebec (Quebec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children), some of whom were exposed to violence as children.

“We know that people who are victims or witnesses of violence in childhood are more likely to have antisocial tendencies as teenagers and adults,” said Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, a researcher at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal. “Genetic studies have also shown that this influence may be exacerbated through differences in DNA, such as the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene,” explained Ms. Ouellet-Morin, who is a professor with the School of Criminology at Université de Montréal.

MAOA is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters called monoamines (noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine), and a dysfunction in its action in certain areas of the brain may disrupt the regulation of emotions and behavioural inhibition. “So far, studies investigating how the MAOA gene is involved in antisocial behaviour in interaction with adverse childhood experiences have been inconsistent. We did this study to try and clarify the situation,” stated Ms. Ouellet-Morin.

The study included data collected in the same participants for over 15 years, which made possible for these researchers to evaluate the role of the MAOA gene in various types of antisocial behaviour, such as partner violence and symptoms associated with an antisocial personality (e.g., engaging in illegal activities, being impulsive, showing no remorse, etc.). They also wanted to know whether the gene’s influence would be different depending on the subject’s relative exposure to violence in childhood.

Results

The analysis of Ms. Ouellet-Morin and her team confirmed that exposure to violence is associated with:

• An increase in symptoms associated with conduct disorder in adolescence and antisocial personality in adulthood.
• A higher likelihood of exhibiting aggressive behaviour with one’s partner.

This study has also demonstrated that the MAOA gene moderates the expression of antisocial behaviour in young men who are exposed to violence as children.

On average, men who are carriers of a less frequent polymorphism of the MAOA gene (approximately 30% of men) are at a higher risk of exhibiting these outcomes in adolescence and in early adulthood compared to those without this polymorphism but who also have been exposed to violence as children.

“These results clearly show that genes do not hold all the answers about an individual’s future, at least no more so than the environment. The debate between nature and nurture is a false one. The challenge now is to better understand the mechanisms through which either vulnerability and resilience occurs in people who are exposed to adverse life experiences. Part of the answer lies in a person’s constant interaction with the environment, which includes his or her genetic baggage,” concluded Ms. Ouellet-Morin.

Source: Julie Gazaille – University of Montreal
Image Source: The image is credited to Barry and is licensed CC BY 2.0
Original Research: Abstract for “Effects of the MAOA gene and levels of exposure to violence on antisocial outcomes” by Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, Sylvana M. Côté, Frank Vitaro, Martine Hébert, René Carbonneau, Éric Lacourse, Gustavo Turecki, and Richard E. Tremblay in British Journal of Psychiatry. Published online January 2016 doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.162081

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Abstract

Effects of the MAOA gene and levels of exposure to violence on antisocial outcomes

Background

The monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene has been shown to moderate the impact of maltreatment on antisocial behaviour. Replication efforts have, however, yielded inconsistent results.

Aims

To investigate whether the interaction between the MAOA gene and violence is present across the full distribution of violence or emerges at higher levels of exposure.

Method

Participants were 327 male members of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Kindergarten Children. Exposure to violence comprised retrospective reports of mother’s and father’s maltreatment, sexual and physical abuse. Conduct disorder and antisocial personality symptoms were assessed in semi-structured interviews and partner violence, property-violent crimes and arrest were self-reported.

Results

Non-linear interactions between the MAOA gene and violence were detected, suggesting that the genetic moderation may come about once a certain level of violence is experienced.

Conclusions

Future studies should investigate the mechanisms translating substantial violence exposure, which could, subsequently, trigger the expression of genetically based differences in antisocial behaviour.

“Effects of the MAOA gene and levels of exposure to violence on antisocial outcomes” by Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, Sylvana M. Côté, Frank Vitaro, Martine Hébert, René Carbonneau, Éric Lacourse, Gustavo Turecki, and Richard E. Tremblay in British Journal of Psychiatry. Published online January 2016 doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.162081