Evidence for interplay between genes and maternal stress in utero: monoamine oxidase A polymorphism moderates effects of life events during pregnancy on infant negative emotionality at 5 weeks. (7th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hill, J.; Breen, G.; Quinn, J.; Tibu, F.; Sharp, H.; Pickles, A.
• Is Part Of: Genes, brain, and behavior. Volume 12:Number 4(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 396
• Publication Date: 2013-05-07
• Subjects: Behavior genetics -- Periodicals; Neurogenetics -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1601-1848

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>The low activity variant of the monoamine oxidase A (<italic>MAOA</italic>) functional promoter polymorphism, <italic>MAOA‐LPR</italic>, in interaction with adverse environments (G × E) is associated with child and adult antisocial behaviour disorders. <italic>MAOA</italic> is expressed during foetal development so <italic>in utero</italic> G × E may influence early neurodevelopment. We tested the hypothesis that <italic>MAOA</italic> G × E during pregnancy predicts infant negative emotionality soon after birth. In an epidemiological longitudinal study starting in pregnancy, using a two stage stratified design, we ascertained <italic>MAOA‐LPR</italic> status (low vs. high activity variants) from the saliva of 209 infants (104 boys and 105 girls), and examined predictions to observed infant negative emotionality at 5 weeks post‐partum from life events during pregnancy. In analyses weighted to provide estimates for the general population, and including possible confounders for life events, there was an <italic>MAOA</italic> status by life events interaction (<italic>P</italic> = 0.017). There was also an interaction between <italic>MAOA</italic> status and neighbourhood deprivation (<italic>P</italic> = 0.028). Both interactions arose from a greater effect of increasing life events on negative emotionality in the <italic>MAOA‐LPR</italic> low activity, compared with <italic>MAOA‐LPR</italic> high activity infants. The study provides the first evidence of moderation by <italic>MAOA‐LPR</italic> of the effect of the social environment in pregnancy on negative emotionality in infancy, an early risk for the development of child and adult antisocial behaviour disorders</bold>.</p> </abstract>