Original Article
Volume: 35 | Issue: 3 | Published: Sep 25, 2019 | Pages: 142 - 147
Allelic Frequency of MAO A Gene Among Convicted Offenders and Diagnosed Cluster B Trait Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Ashraf MF , Noreen S. , Akhtar N , Faheem A , Ali R. , Ali S , Rakha A
Article Info
Authors
Ashraf MF
Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore – Pakistan.
Noreen S.
Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore – Pakistan.
Akhtar N
Al-Aleem Medical College, Lahore – Pakistan.
Faheem A
District Head Quarter, Hospital, Narowal – Pakistan.
Ali R.
Department of Forensic Sciences, King Edward Medical University, Lahore – Pakistan.
Ali S
Center of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad – Pakistan.
Rakha A
Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore – Pakistan.
Publication History
Received: April 15, 2019
Revised: June 17, 2019
Accepted: September 19, 2019
Published: September 25, 2019
Abstract
Background and Objective: The MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism is known for its association with aggressive impulsive behaviors. A case control association study is conducted to investigate the influence of the allelic variants of the MAOA gene on tendency to violent behavior.
Methods: Fifty-eight psychiatric patients, 68 convicted and 90 healthy control subjects, were included. MAOA-uVNTR genotyped at the promoter region. Variation of six alleles i.e. 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5-repeats was investigated. Allele distributions of MAOA-uVNTR in control, convicted and psychiatric samples was calculated.
Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in genotypic frequencies among control, convicted and psychiatric males. Intergroup comparison showed that allele variant 3, 3.5, 4 and 5- repeats were found significant in control group while applying Pearson’s chi-square test (χ2). A significant difference was observed when comparing the 5-repeat allele frequency in psychiatric patients with control (P = 0.005), suggesting a possible association with aggression in this group. Odds ratio > 1 indicated more risk of aggression towards psychiatric as compared to control.
Conclusion: It is concluded that both high and low activity alleles of the MAOA-uVNTR 30-bp polymorphism are correlated with antisocial behavior both in offenders and psychiatric patients.
Keywords: Aggression, Genetics, Psychiatry, Phenotypes..
