MAOA methylation is associated with impulsive and antisocial behaviour: dependence on allelic variation, family environment and diet

Congenital absence of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity predisposes to antisocial impulsive behaviour, and the MAOA uVNTR low-expressing genotype (MAOA-L) together with childhood maltreatment is associated with similar phenotypes in males. A possible explanation of how family environment may lead to such behaviour involves DNA methylation. We have assessed MAOA methylation and impulsive/antisocial behaviour in 121 males from the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. Of the 12 CpG sites measured, methylation levels at the locus designated CpG3 were significantly lower in subjects with antisocial behaviour involving police contact. CpG3 methylation was lower in subjects with alcohol use disorder by age 25, but only in MAOA-H genotype. No correlation between MAOA CpG3 methylation levels and adaptive impulsivity was found at age 15, but in MAOA-L genotype a positive correlation appeared by age 18. By age 25, this positive correlation was no longer observed in subjects with better family relationships but had increased further with experience of adversity within the family. MAOA CpG3 methylation had different developmental dynamics in relation to maladaptive impulsivity. At age 18, a positive correlation was observed in MAOA-L genotype with inferior family relationships and a negative correlation was found in MAOA-H with superior home environment; both of these associations had disappeared by age 25. CpG3 methylation was associated with dietary intake of several micronutrients, most notable was a negative correlation with the intake of zinc, but also with calcium, potassium and vitamin E; a positive correlation was found with intake of phosphorus. In conclusion, MAOA CpG3 methylation is related to both maladaptive and adaptive impulsivity in adolescence in MAOA-L males from adverse home environment. By young adulthood, this relationship with maladaptive impulsivity had disappeared but with adaptive impulsivity strengthened. Thus, MAOA CpG3 methylation may serve as a marker for adaptive developmental neuroplasticity in MAOA-L genotype. The mechanisms involved may include dietary factors.

Automated summary

Congenital absence of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity increases the likelihood of antisocial impulsive behavior, and the MAOA uVNTR low-expressing genotype (MAOA-L) combined with childhood maltreatment is associated with similar phenotypes in males. Family environment may contribute to this behavior through DNA methylation. In a study of 121 males, it was found that methylation levels at CpG3 site of MAOA were significantly lower in individuals with antisocial behavior involving police contact. At age 25, CpG3 methylation was lower in individuals with alcohol use disorder, but only in MAOA-H genotype. The study also found correlations between MAOA CpG3 methylation and adaptive impulsivity in different age groups. CpG3 methylation was associated with dietary intake of several micronutrients, such as zinc and calcium. This study highlights the importance of MAOA CpG3 methylation in understanding impulsive and antisocial behavior, and its potential role as a marker for neuroplasticity.