This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brummett, B. H. Articles by Williams, R. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brummett, B. H. Articles by Williams, R. B. Related Collections Genetics Depression Sleep and Biological Rhythms

Associations of a Regulatory Polymorphism of Monoamine Oxidase-A Gene Promoter (MAOA-uVNTR) With Symptoms of Depression and Sleep Quality

From the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (B.H.B., A.D.K., I.C.S., R.S.S., S.Z., J.C.B., R.B.W.), Center for Human Genetics (A.A.-K.), and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (C.K.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Beverly H. Brummett, Box 2969, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. E-mail: brummett{at}duke.edu

Objective: To examine the relationships among the variable number of tandem repeats in the monoamine oxidase-A linked polymorphic region allelic variation (MAOA-uVNTR) and the symptoms of depression and sleep quality. The monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA) gene, which plays a vital role in degradation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contains a polymorphism in its promoter region (MAOA-uVNTR) that affects transcriptional efficiency. MAOA-uVNTR genotype has been associated with both psychological and physical measures.

Methods: The sample consisted of 74 males enrolled in a case/control study of caregivers for relatives with dementia. Age- and race-adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the association between low versus high MAOA-uVNTR activity alleles, symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression), and sleep quality ratings (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).

Results: MAOA-uVNTR alleles associated with less transcriptional activity were related to increased symptoms of depression (p < .04; Cohen’s d = 0.52) and poorer sleep quality (p < .04; Cohen’s d = 0.31).

Conclusions: Individuals with less active MAOA-uVNTR alleles may be at increased risk for depressive symptoms and poor sleep.

Key Words: monoamine oxidase-A • MAOA-uVNTR • depression • sleep

Abbreviations: CAD = coronary artery disease; CES-D = Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression; MAOA = monoamine oxidase-A; MAOA-uVNR = variable number of tandem repeats in the MAOA linked polymorphic region; PSQI = Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.