Monoamine oxidase A deficiency is caused by changes (mutations) in the MAOA gene and is inherited in an X-linked recessive manner. Treatment is based on the signs and symptoms present in each person. Some recent studies suggest that cautious treatment with certain medications (called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and dietary modifications can improve symptoms.
Full Answer
What does the MAOA gene do?
The MAOA gene codes for monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that helps break down the chemical messengers ( neurotransmitters) serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Collectively, these messengers are referred to as monoamine neurotransmitters because of their chemical structure [ 1 ].
Can a female be heterozygous for a MAO-A mutation?
Only females can be heterozygous for this mutation. When a positive MAO-A mutation is combined with COMT V158M mutation. But in neurotransmitters may be more severe. These imbalances can potentially lead to neuro-psychiatric conditions and symptoms.
What is the best proxy for the MAOA warrior gene?
Rs909525 (MAOA Gene), considered to be the best proxy for the number of repeats of the MAOA warrior gene [ 10 ]. Limited studies suggest the following associations: C= “Warrior” version. People with “T” are more likely to have the 4 or 5R non-Warrior version and people with “C” are more likely to have the 3R Warrior version.
What are the dietary recommendations for patients with MAO-A?
Certain variants in MAO-A requires extra support of the pathways including vitamin B6, folate, B12, B2, magnesium, vitamin C and potentially ashwagandha. It also requires more fruit and vegetables to support oxidative stress. See the diagram below to visualize how it all works.
What happens if you have the MAOA gene?
This condition affects males almost exclusively and is characterized by mild intellectual disability and behavioral problems, including aggressive and violent outbursts. In some cases, particular foods seem to worsen symptoms of the condition.
How do I support Mao?
Protein-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and beans are typical dietary sources of these amino acids [224]. These compounds stimulate the production of monoamines such as serotonin and dopamine, which may be an issue for people with less active MAOA versions [225, 226].
How do I raise my MAO enzyme levels?
Calcium (Ca2+) has recently been shown to selectively increase the activity of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), a mitochondria-bound enzyme that generates peroxyradicals as a natural by-product of the deamination of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
Does the MAOA gene make you violent?
The low activity form of the MAOA gene (MAOA-L) has been linked to increased levels of aggression and violence.
How do you reverse an MAOI?
There are no antidotes for MAOI toxicity. Hemodialysis is ineffective in removing the drug from the body. Rapid correction of hyperthermia is vital. Cooling by evaporative heat loss (wetting skin and creating air flow with fans) is an effective treatment.
Is caffeine an MAO inhibitor?
Key findings: Caffeine acts as a MAO inhibitor with Ki values of 0.70 mM and 3.83 mM for the inhibition of MAO-A and MAO-B, respectively. The results show that caffeine binds reversibly and competitively to both MAO enzymes.
How do you test for MAOA gene?
The Genetics A simple DNA test can be done to find out which single form of MAOA a male has inherited and which two forms a female has inherited. The MAOA gene is located on the X-chromosome.
Did Ted Bundy have the MAOA gene?
Bundy had several psychological and biological dispositions, and the MAOA gene can be concluded as one of them. One his biggest problem was that he was raised by his grandparents on the belief that his mother was his sister (Biography, 2015).
Do all serial killers have the MAOA gene?
Serial killers' IQs ranked "No substantial signal was observed for either MAOA or CDH13 among non-violent offenders, indicating that findings were specific for violent offending, and not largely attributable to substance abuse or antisocial personality disorder.
Is MAOA a serial killer gene?
Genetic susceptibility may also lead to mitigation of responsibility in convicts during trials of offenses, leading to reduced punishments. MAOA and CHD13 are sometimes called “serial killer genes.” If we proceed to label people as “serial killer gene” carriers we risk stigmatization at unprecedented levels.
What is the MAOA gene?
The MAOA gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called monoamine oxidase A. This enzyme is part of a family of enzymes that break down molecules called monoamines through a chemical reaction known as oxidation. Among the monoamines broken down by monoamine oxidase A are certain chemicals that act as neurotransmitters, ...
What enzyme breaks down monoamines?
Monoamine oxidase A also helps break down monoamines found in the diet. It seems to be particularly important in the breakdown of excess tyramine, which is found in cheese and other foods. Monoamine oxidase A appears to be involved in normal brain development before birth. The enzyme plays a role in the controlled self-destruction ...
What is the function of monoamine oxidase A?
Among the monoamines broken down by monoamine oxidase A are certain chemicals that act as neurotransmitters, which transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters are broken down when signaling is no longer needed. Specifically, monoamine oxidase A is involved in the breakdown of the neurotransmitters serotonin, epinephrine, ...
Why is the MAOA gene important?
Because of its role in breaking down so many different types of neurotransmitters and other compounds, the MAOA gene is one of the most highly-studied genes out there. As a result, scientists have identified many significant variants that different people can carry in the MAOA gene.
What is MAOA in the brain?
MAOA: preferentially breaks down serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (in humans). This version is most abundant in the brain, placenta, liver, lungs, small intestine, and connective tissue. Drugs that inhibit MAOA are typically used in the treatment of depression.
Why does MAOA inhibit nicotine?
Because MAOA breaks down the reward neurotransmitters released in response to nicotine (such as dopamine), its inhibition by tobacco substances increases the addictive potential of tobacco [ 172, 173, 174 ].
What is MAOB in the body?
MAOB: preferentially breaks down phenethylamine and dopamine (in rodents). This version is most abundant in the brain, intestine, liver, platelets, and immune cells. Drugs that inhibit MAOB are typically used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Importantly, both genes are found on the X chromosome.
What is the name of the gene that causes aggressiveness?
The association of MAOA with aggressiveness, which has earned it the nickname “the Warrior gene,” was first described with the identification of a hereditary condition called Brunner syndrome in a Dutch family. Male carriers of a mutation at the rs72554632 polymorphism showed low IQ, high monoamine levels, and unusual violence in response to anger, frustration, or fear [ 15, 16 ].
Why are monoamines called neurotransmitters?
Collectively, these messengers are referred to as monoamine neurotransmitters because of their chemical structure [ 1 ]. Monoamine oxidase also breaks down other compounds with a monoamine structure, such as phenethylamine and tyramine.
Does moclobemide help with smoking cessation?
This leads to the depressed mood typically experienced by smokers giving up this habit [ 175 ]. For this reason, the use of MAOA inhibitors such as moclo bemide may help with smoking cessation [ 176 ].
Where is the MAOA gene located?
The MAOA gene is located on the X chromosome. For reference, women have two X chromosomes, while men have one X and one Y chromosome. The X and Y chromosomes determine a person’s sex at birth, which is why they’re also known as “sex chromosomes” [ 6 ].
What is the best proxy for the number of repeats of the MAOA warrior gene?
Rs909525 (MAOA Gene), considered to be the best proxy for the number of repeats of the MAOA warrior gene [ 10 ].
What are the associations between MAOA variants?
Limited studies found associations between low-activity MAOA variants and a range of aggressive and antisocial behaviors, including adolescent antisocial behavior, reduced social cooperation, physical aggression, criminal violence, and recidivism in male violent offenders. But many of these associations were not properly confirmed [ 5]
How many variants of MAOA can men have?
This also means that men can only have one MAOA variant, while women have two [ 6 ].
What is the trigger for MAOA?
The trigger was a couple of scientific studies that found an association between certain variations of the MAOA gene and aggression. News outlets saw a great story in these discoveries, jumping to say that some people may carry “dangerous DNA.”
What enzyme breaks down dopamine?
Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. In line with this, scientists have proposed that [ 3 ]. High levels of this enzyme should translate to fewer neurotransmitters – as MAO breaks them down quicker.
What episode of The Blacklist is the warrior gene?
Phil’s talk show to “The Blacklist” (season 2 episode 4) to ABC News.
What is MAO A?
What is MAO-A? MAO-A (Monoamine oxidase A) is a critical enzyme involved in breaking down important neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Males can only have a heterozygous MAO-A, while females can have heterozygous or homozygous variants. Certain variants in MAO-A requires extra support of the pathways ...
What are the vitamins in MAO-A?
Certain variants in MAO-A requires extra support of the pathways including vitamin B6, folate, B12, B2, magnesium, vitamin C and potentially ashwagandha. It also requires more fruit and vegetables to support oxidative stress. See the diagram below to visualize how it all works.
What is the name of the gene that takes serotonin out of the gut?
In a healthy person, after serotonin is released into the gut and initiates an intestinal reflex, it is taken out of the bowel by a serotonin transporter. This is known as SERT, found in the cells that line the gut wall. Some people do not have enough SERT, so they wind up with too much serotonin floating around causing diarrhea. There is evidence to support interaction between MAOA and serotonin transporter (SERT) genes.
What is the importance of BH4?
One of the major things to take away from this diagram and MAO-A, is the importance of healthy BH4 and sufficient B12, folate, vitamin C and magnesium intake for dopamine and serotonin to break down properly. High amounts of both of these neurotransmitters can lead to mental imbalances and are also sensitive to extremes of blood sugar.
What drugs are involved in serotonin?
Drugs implicated in serotonin syndrome include members of several classes of drugs, including SSRIs, MAOIs (including reversible MAOIs like moclobemide), triptans for migraines, St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, the antibiotic linezolid (Zyvox) methylene blue and atypical opioids such as tramadol.
How does aging affect mitochondria?
Aging is equivalent to DNA damage and as mitochondria are destroyed int the brain from toxins/stress/malnutrition then we are effectively aging faster. These effects plus SNPs cause increases in enzyme speed of the MAO system, esp. MAO-B (less clarity when it comes to MAO-A but likely same pattern since molecularly almost identical). Repeat: aging, inflammation, toxins or anything else that hurts the mitochondria will INCREASE the speed of both MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-B is found mostly in the brain and therefore is more important with neurological issues like Parkinson’s disease, where it has long been known that MAO-B is sped up! The take away is that its all about MAO system going too fast and causing problems.
Is MAO inducible?
MAO systems exists outside the brain in cells like RBCs and thrombocytes. But in the brain the MAO system is inducible. Anything that injure mitochondria such as oxidative stress, toxin exposure, and the aging process in general will cause an increase in MAO activity regardless of genetics .
Why does the frontal lobe get saturated with catecholamines?
dopamine, it tries to protect itself from these potent chemicals by ignoring the signal. Just like when our insulin is too high we can get insulin resistance, we can actually develop a kind of dopamine resistance. The body ignores constant stimuli so it will do its best ignore the excess dopamine and catecholamines. The end result is a constant roller coaster of fatigue, lack of focus, and brain fog that makes getting through the day a challenging proposition.
Does the brain want extra dopamine?
The brain really doesn’t want EXTRA dopamine, just like the Goldilocks character who doesn’t want the hot or cold porridge. The brain, like Goldilocks, wants the level of dopamine to be in the middle, the sweet spot where brain function is optimized.
