Monoamine Oxidase-A Genetic Variants and Childhood Abuse Predict Impulsiveness in Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

ObjectiveImpulsivity is a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) that likely arises from combined genetic and environmental influences. The interaction of the low activity variant of the monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA-L) gene and early childhood adversity has been shown to predict aggression in clinical and non-clinical populations. Although impulsivity is a risk factor for aggression in BPD and ASPD, little research has investigated potential gene-environment (G×E) influences impacting its expression in these conditions. Moreover, G×E interactions may differ by diagnosis.MethodsFull factorial analysis of variance was employed to investigate the influence of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) genotype, childhood abuse, and diagnosis on Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) scores in 61 individuals: 20 subjects with BPD, 18 subjects with ASPD, and 23 healthy controls.ResultsA group×genotype×abuse interaction was present (F(2,49)=4.4, p=0.018), such that the interaction of MAOA-L and childhood abuse predicted greater BIS-11 motor impulsiveness in BPD. Additionally, BPD subjects reported higher BIS-11 attentional impulsiveness versus ASPD participants (t(1,36)=2.3, p=0.025).ConclusionThese preliminary results suggest that MAOA-L may modulate the impact of childhood abuse on impulsivity in BPD. Results additionally indicate that impulsiveness may be expressed differently in BPD and ASPD.

Moderate the <em>MAOA-L</em> Allele Expression with CRISPR/Cas9 System

“…This shows that antisocial behavior can include borderline behavior. It is also clear that antisocial behavior can exist both in healthy [2,4] and in unhealthy people [30]. In healthy males, the percentage of antisocial behavior can reach 50% (Figure 1).…”

“…This happens to young people who experience maltreatment during childhood [22,[26][27][28][29]. Non-linear interactions between the MAOA gene and violence have been found [2,27]. It suggests that people with the MAOA-L allele can be hypocrite once a certain violent level are detected.…”

“…Antisocial behavior is a hereditary disorder inherited through an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. The MAOA gene has correlation with antisocial behavior [1,2]. Mutations in this gene result in low MAOA (MAOA-L) expression [3].…”

“…The mutated gene is MAOA-L allele. The MAOA-L expression affects males nearly entirely and can result in behavior problems such as aggressive and violent eruptions [2,3]. Antisocial behavior may exist in each family.…”

The one and the many: a case highlighting comorbidity and complexity in psychiatry

“…14,15 There is evidence of genetic vulnerabilities to a range of mental and developmental disorders, including ADHD and BPAD. [16][17][18] Childhood difficulties and early traumatic life experiences have also been described in a number of psychiatric conditions including EUPD, BPAD, major unipolar depression and ADHD, suggesting common underlying aetiological processes. 19 The current research on these psychiatric conditions draws attention to shared aetiological pathways and suggests validated risk factors, some of which are potentially modifiable through available or novel treatments.…”