Role of Monoamine Oxidase A Gene Methylation with Antisocial Behavior

Abstract

MAOA promoter hypermethylation and level deficient of the monoamine oxidase enzyme may have a significant correlation with antisocial behavior. This study aims to find the epigenetic role processes play in how MAOA is expressed differently in a group of prisoners with antisocial behavior versus a control group of healthy people who are not criminals. Blood samples were taken from 25 prisoners and 25 control groups. Inmates' ages varied widely, from 23 to 55, with an average and standard deviation of (36.4 8.2) They were all males and had all spent varying amounts of time behind bars. MSRE-qPCR measured MAOA promoter methylation. This study examined MAOA promoter methylation, MAOA serum levels, smoking, and age. Cases showed higher levels of methylation than control (cases: 66.8 ± 20%; n = 25; control: 51.8 ± 28%, n = 25; p <0.05, t-test) respectively. Weak correlations exist between age and methylation levels in both cases and controls. (18-39: 59 ± 24%; n = 33; 40-65: 58 ± 27%, n = 17; p >0.05, t-test). Smoking status does not significantly affect the methylation state of MAOA (mean methylation levels 62.4 ± 24%; n = 35 for smokers and 52.1 ± 28%; n = 15 for non-smokers; p > 0.05, t-test). The rates of methylation in the control and case groups had a weak negative relationship with the levels of the MAOA enzyme (r(50) = -.199, p =.166).