Abstract
Juvenile delinquency is related to several biological factors, yet very few vulnerability biomarkers have been identified. Previous data suggest that the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) influences several personality traits linked to the propensity to engage in delinquent behavior. Building on this evidence, we assessed whether conduct disorder (CD), juvenile delinquency adjudications, or detention in a correctional facility were associated with either platelet MAO-B activity or the MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism. The study enrolled 289 medication-free male youths, including 182 individuals detained in a correctional facility (with or without a diagnosis of CD). Of the remaining 107 participants, 26 subjects had a diagnosis of CD, and 81 were mentally healthy controls. Platelet MAO-B activity was determined by spectrophotofluorometry, while MAOB rs1799836 was genotyped using qPCR. Platelet MAO-B activity, corrected for age and smoking, was significantly higher in juvenile detainees (p < 0.001), irrespective of CD diagnosis. MAOB rs1799836 was not associated with platelet MAO-B activity or with detention in a correctional facility, CD diagnosis, or delinquent behavior. These data suggest that detention in a juvenile correctional facility increases platelet MAO-B activity in male adolescents. Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms and functional significance of MAO-B peripheral elevation in juvenile male detainees.
Highlights
Conduct disorder (CD) is a persistent pattern of antisocial and disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents, characterized by harmful behavior towards animals and people, disregard for the rights and properties of others, and violation of societal norms [1,2,3]
Previous data suggest that the enzyme monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) influences several personality traits linked to the propensity to engage in delinquent behavior
We assessed whether conduct disorder (CD), juvenile delinquency adjudications, or detention in a correctional facility were associated with either platelet MAO-B activity or the MAOB rs1799836 polymorphism
Summary
Conduct disorder (CD) is a persistent pattern of antisocial and disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents, characterized by harmful behavior towards animals and people, disregard for the rights and properties of others, and violation of societal norms [1,2,3]. Reduced platelet MAO-B activity was found to be associated with delinquent and criminal behaviors [10,11], poor impulse control, extraversion, as well as predisposition for risky, impulsive, sensation-seeking, and novelty-seeking behaviors [10,12,13]. In keeping with these results, genetic deficiency of MAO-B in mice was found to be associated with behavioral disinhibition [14]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have