The Influence of Monoamine Oxidase A

(MAOA) on the Effects of Victimization

Megan McGinley
Abstract
Purpose: Assess moderating effect of MAOA on the relation
between victimization and behaviour problems
Method
Participants: 900 grade one, two and three students (approx.
300 per grade)
Measures: teacher ratings for victimization, C-TRF
Procedures: Short-term longitudinal one calendar year
T1: in the fall (Oct. Nov), T2: in the following fall
Hypothesis: Victimized boys with MAOA-L genotype will be
more likely to develop internalizing and externalizing behaviour
problems
 High (MAOA-H) Low (MAOA-L)
MAOA gene

MAOA enzyme Efficient enzyme Deficient enzyme

production production

Metabolizes
neurotransmitters Optimal regulation Poor regulation
MAOA-L and its Physiological Effects
Main Findings
Exaggerated amygdala response to fearful & angry
faces
Diminished response to threat in the prefrontal
cortex
Reduced cognitive control

Kim-Cohen & Gold, 2009

 Sex Differences in MAOA gene
In males, MAOA-L is the problematic gene
In females, results are inconsistent
Possible explanations:
Physiological interactions
Research designs

Godar, et al., 2016; Holz et al., 2014; Prom-Wormley, et al., 2005; Voltas et al., 2015
MAOA & Childhood Maltreatment by Adults
MAOA

Behavioural
Maltreatment Problems
by Adults
MAOA & Childhood Maltreatment by Adults
Genotype x Sex Correlates

MAOA-L Boys Low aggression thresholds

Delinquency scores
Mental health problems

MAOA-L Girls Aggression

MAOA-H Girls Delinquency

Anti-social behaviour
Aggression

Aslund et al., 2011; Byrd & Manuck, 2014; Kim-Cohen, et al., 2006; Weder et al., 2009
MAOA & Victimization
Most pronounced correlates of peer victimization and
maltreatment:
Depression
Anxiety
Aggression
Delinquency

English, et al., 2005, Kretchsmer, et al., 2015

MAOA & Other Stressful Environments
Genotype x Sex Correlates

MAOA-L boys Social Phobia

Hyperactivity
Behavioural Disinhibition
Depression
Anxiety
Aggression

MAOA-L girls Hyperactivity

Behavioural Disinhibition
MAOA-H girls Anxiety

Enoch, et al., 2010; Hart & Marmostein, 2009; Lavigne et al., 2013; Voltas, et al., 2015
Proposed Moderation
MAOA

Maltreatment
Peer Behavioural
by adults
Victimization Problems
Purpose of Study
Address research gaps
MAOA has yet to be linked to peer victimization
Females grouped by genotype
Early childhood sample

Rationale for Study

Potential genetic marker for enhanced problems
associated with victimization
Help identify at-risk populations
Does the MAOA gene moderate the relationship between
victimization and internalizing and externalizing problems?
Hypothesis
Victimization of boys at Time 1 will predict internalizing
and externalizing problems at Time 2, especially for
boys with the MAOA-L.

Girls data will be analyzed on an exploratory basis.

Hypothesis
4
3.5
Behaviour Problems

3
2.5
2 MAOA-L Boys
MAOA-H Boys
1.5
1
0.5
0
Low victimization High Victimization
Methods - Participants
900~ grade one, two and three students (approx. 300
per grade) from elementary schools in TVDSB and
LDCSB
Participating schools receive $500.00 gift cards for
books or gym equipment
Participating teachers receive $100.00 per
assessment time point
Pizza party if all children bring in their consent form,
signed or not
Methods - Measures
Teacher ratings for victimization
Appropriate for children aged five to seven
4 items
Alpha= .78 (Alsaker & Valkanover, 2001)
Externalizing and Internalizing Symptoms
Teacher Report Form for Child Behaviour Checklist (C-TRF) for
school-aged children
115 items
Alphas range from .72-.95 for sub-scales (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001)
Procedure

Time 1: Fall (Oct-Nov) of

initial school year
- Buccal swabs performed,
DNA analyzed and assayed Time 2: Fall (Oct-Nov) of
following school year
-Teacher ratings on
- Teacher-report C-TRF collected
victimization collected
- Teacher-report C-TRF
collected
Analysis
Boys: p + q = 1
Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium:
Girls: p2 + 2pq + q2 =1

Expected ratios:
Boys Girls
MAOA-LL
MAOA-L
MAOA-H MAOA-
HH
MAOA-HL

Ducci, et al., 2006; Enoch, et al., 2010;

Analysis
Hierarchical Regression Analysis
Step 1: T1 behavioural problems(control) + age(control)
Step 2: Step 1 + genotype(moderator) +
victimization(predictor)
Step 3: Step 2 + genotype-victimization interaction

Test of Simple Slopes

Direction of moderating effect
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Questions & suggestions?