Monoamine oxidase A-uVNTR genotype affects limbic brain activity in response to affective facial stimuli

Byeong Taek Lee, Byung Joo Ham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) enzymatically degrades biogenic amines such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, and plays a key role in the regulation of their neurotransmission. Allelic variations at the MAOA locus have been implicated in the neurobiology of aggression and impulsivity. We investigated the possible relationship between the MAOA-upstream variable number of tandem repeats (uVNTR) polymorphism and brain responses to negative facial stimuli, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We found a significant association between a low activity allele of MAOA-uVNTR and neural activation to negative facial stimuli. In the sad condition, participants with the low activity allele showed greater brain activity in the left amygdala. In the angry condition, participants with the low activity allele showed greater brain activity in the right anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus. Our results suggest that MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism can affect activation of limbic regions, elicited by negative emotional stimuli.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)515-519
Number of pages5
JournalNeuroreport
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 Mar
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anger
  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging
  • Monoamine oxidase A
  • Polymorphism
  • Sadness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Monoamine oxidase A-uVNTR genotype affects limbic brain activity in response to affective facial stimuli'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this