Behavioral Sciences (Sep 2023)

Individual and Combined Effect of <i>MAO-A</i>/<i>MAO-B</i> Gene Variants and Adverse Childhood Experiences on the Severity of Major Depressive Disorder

  • Christian Gabriel Toledo-Lozano,
  • Luz Berenice López-Hernández,
  • Juan Antonio Suárez-Cuenca,
  • Luis Villalobos-Gallegos,
  • Dulce Adeí Jiménez-Hernández,
  • Sofía Lizeth Alcaraz-Estrada,
  • Paul Mondragón-Terán,
  • Lilia Joya-Laureano,
  • Ramón Mauricio Coral-Vázquez,
  • Silvia García

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13100795
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 10
p. 795

Abstract

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Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder with a high prevalence worldwide that causes disability and, in some cases, suicide. Although environmental factors play a crucial role in this disease, other biological factors may predispose individuals to MDD. Genetic and environmental factors influence mental disorders; therefore, a potential combined effect of MAO-A/MAO-B gene variants may be a target for the study of susceptibility to MDD. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of MAO-A and -B gene variants when combined with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the susceptibility and severity of symptoms in MDD. Methods: A case-control study was performed, including 345 individuals, 175 MDD cases and 170 controls. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR with hydrolysis probes. The analysis of the rs1465107 and rs1799836 gene variants of MAO-A and -B, respectively, was performed either alone or in combination with ACEs on the severity of depression, as determined through specific questionnaires, including DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for MDD. Results: According to individual effects, the presence of ACEs, as well as the allele G of the rs1465107 of MAO-A, is associated with a higher severity of depression, more significantly in females. Furthermore, the allele rs1799836 G of MAO-B was associated with the severity of depression, even after being adjusted by gene variants and ACEs (IRR = 1.67, p = 0.01). In males, the allele rs1799836 G of MAO-B was shown to interact with SNP with ACEs (IRR = 1.70, p rs1465107 of MAO-A or allele rs17993836 of MAO-B, whereas SNP risk association was influenced by gender. Conclusions: The severity of depression is related to either individual or combined effects of temperamental traits and genetic susceptibility of specific genes such as MAO-A and MAO-B.

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