Child abuse and neglect, MAOA, and mental health outcomes: a prospective examination.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have examined the interaction of MAOA genotype with childhood maltreatment in relation to depressive symptomatology and alcohol abuse with conflicting findings. Both high- and low-activity allele combinations have been shown to be protective for maltreated children with direction of findings varying by study methodology and participants' sex.

Methods

Participants in a prospective cohort design study involving court-substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect and a matched comparison group were followed up into adulthood and interviewed (N = 802). Eighty-two percent consented to provide blood, 631 gave permission for DNA extraction and analyses, and 575 were included in the final sample. This sample included male, female, white, and nonwhite (primarily b

SUBMITTER: Nikulina V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3295575 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature