Molecular-genetic correlates of self-harming behaviors in eating-disordered women: Findings from a combined Canadian–German sample

• Published in: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 102 - 106
• Main Authors: Steiger, Howard, Fichter, Manfred, Bruce, Kenneth R., Joober, Ridha, Badawi, Ghislaine, Richardson, Jodie, Groleau, Patricia, Ramos, Cinthia, Israel, Mimi, Bondy, Brigitta, Quadflieg, Norbert, Bachetzky, Nadine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 15.01.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Amine oxidase (flavin-containing); Biological and medical sciences; Canada; Eating disorders; Enzymes; Feeding and Eating Disorders - complications; Feeding and Eating Disorders - genetics; Female; Gene Frequency; Gene polymorphism; Genes; Genotype; Genotyping; Germany; Humans; Medical sciences; Minisatellite Repeats - genetics; Monoamine oxidase; Monoamine Oxidase - genetics; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics; Population genetics; Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Self-harming behaviors; Self-Injurious Behavior - etiology; Self-Injurious Behavior - genetics; Serotonin; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics; Serotonin transporter; Suicidality; Suicide; Young Adult; Europe; Germany; Canada; SHBs; Monoamine oxidase; Serotonin; MAOA; Genes; BN; AN; Self-harming behaviors; Suicidality; MAO; 5-HT; VNTR; PCR; ED; EDNOS; BMI; Human; Self injury; Enzyme; German; Suicide; Eating disorder; Amine oxidase (flavin-containing); Gene; Neurotransmitter; Female; Genetics; Oxidoreductases; Self destruction; Molecular biology; Woman; Suicide ideation
• ISSN: 0278-5846; 1878-4216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.09.012

Across populations, findings suggest that rates of self-mutilation, suicidal acts, and other self-harming behaviors (SHBs) may be influenced by polymorphisms that code for activity of the serotonin transporter (e.g., 5HTTLPR) and the enzyme, monoamine oxidase A (e.g., MAOAuVNTR). SHBs being common in patients with Eating Disorders (EDs), we evaluated (in a large sample of eating-disordered women) relationships between triallelic 5HTTLPR and MAOAuVNTR variants, on the one hand, and SHBs, on the other. We had 399 eating-disordered women report on eating symptoms and lifetime history of SHBs, and provide blood samples for genotyping. Individuals carrying high-function MAOAuVNTR alleles reported a history of SHBs about twice as often as did carriers of low-function alleles. We obtained no comparable main effect of 5HTTLPR, or MAOAuVNTR×5HTTLPR interaction effect. Genetic variations did not predict severity of eating symptoms. As in other populations, our findings link the MAOAuVNTR high-function alleles with increased risk of self-directed harm in bulimic females. We discuss theoretical and clinical ramifications of our results. ► 399 eating-disordered women reported on lifetime history of SHBs and provided blood samples for genotyping of 5HTTLPR and MAOAuVNTR. ► Individuals carrying high-function MAOAuVNTR alleles reported a history of SHBs about twice as often as did carriers of low-function alleles. ► We obtained no comparable effect of 5HTTLPR. ► Our findings link the MAOAuVNTR high-function alleles with increased risk of self-directed aggression in bulimic females.