Author:
Fergusson David M.,Boden Joseph M.,Horwood L. John,Miller Allison L.,Kennedy Martin A.
Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies have raised issues concerning the replicability of gene ×
environment (G × E) interactions involving the monoamine oxidase A
(MAOA) gene in moderating the associations between
abuse or maltreatment exposure and antisocial behaviour. This study
attempted to replicate the findings in this area using a 30-year
longitudinal study that has strong resemblance to the original research
cohort.AimsTo test the hypothesis that the presence of the low-activity
MAOA genotype was associated with an increased
response to abuse exposure.MethodParticipants were 398 males from the Christchurch Health and Development
Study who had complete data on: MAOA promoter region
variable number tandem repeat genotype; antisocial behaviour to age 30;
and exposure to childhood sexual and physical abuse.ResultsRegression models were fitted to five antisocial behaviour outcomes
(self-reported property offending; self-reported violent offending;
convictions for property/violent offending; conduct problems; hostility)
observed from age 16 to 30, using measures of childhood exposure to
sexual and physical abuse. The analyses revealed consistent evidence of G
× E interactions, with those having the low-activity
MAOA variant and who were exposed to abuse in
childhood being significantly more likely to report later offending,
conduct problems and hostility. These interactions remained statistically
significant after control for a range of potentially confounding factors.
Findings for convictions data were somewhat weaker.ConclusionsThe present findings add to the evidence suggesting that there is a
stable G × E interaction involving MAOA, abuse exposure
and antisocial behaviour across the life course.
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health
Cited by
118 articles.
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