Associations of MAOA-VNTR or 5HTT-LPR alleles with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms are moderated by platelet monoamine oxidase B activity

The monoamine systems have been suggested to play a role in the biological basis of ADHD symptoms. Thus, polymorphisms in e.g. the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and the serotonin transporter (5HTT) genes have been associated with ADHD like phenotypes. Furthermore, platelet MAOB activity has frequently been linked to impulsiveness-related traits. In the present paper, we have studied ADHD symptoms with regard to the combination of platelet MAOB activity and MAOAVNTR or 5HTT-LPR genotype. The study group consisted of 156 adolescent twin pairs, i.e. 312 individuals, who were used in a previous study (Malmberg et al., 2008). ADHD symptoms were scored with a structured clinical interview of both the twin and a parent using Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version. Presence of a short 5HTT-LPR or short MAOA-VNTR allele, in combination with high levels of platelet MAOB enzyme activity was associated with higher scores of ADHD like problems (p<0.001; p<0.01, respectively). This reexamination of ADHD scores in a non-clinical sample suggests that effects of the MAOA-VNTR and 5HTT-LPR are moderated by platelet MAOB activity.

By the author/editor: Wargelius, Hanna ...; Malmberg, Kersti ...; Larsson, Jan-Olo ...; Oreland, Lars

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