From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2002-08-09 18:27:27 UTC
Subject: hypothetically, this may have future application to treat aggress
To: Ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
rehab ferrets
Message-Id: <p05111700b979b568359a@[10.0.1.24]>
Okay, this is from human research, but it later help lead to
treatment applications for animals as well.
Earlier studies of mice and of a family with usually aggressive males
led to a further findings that differences in the gene for monoamine
oxidase A (MAOA) which is situated on the X chromosome can yield an
enyme that lowers brain concentration of certain chemical messengers
such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.
Current studies as per work by King's College researchers: Avshalom
Caspi and Terrie Moffitt have found that 85% of the abused boys
studied who have a sluggish gene for MAOA develop anitsocial
behaviors such as persistent fighting. Those with an active version
of the gene develop such behaviors in only a minority of cases of
abused boys. The difference also holds for females but at a lower
rate, though still statistically significant (due partly social
influence on feminine behavior and partly the double dose of two X
chromosomes according to one hypothesis). The study involved over
400 abused boys from 11 through to age 26, but the article does not
say how many abused girls were involved. Only 12% of the abused boys
had the low-activity gene but they accounted for nearly half of all
later convictions for assault and other violent crimes.
It appears from this article in "Science News" that very low levels
simply cause aggression, while reduced levels combined with abuse can
spell a much harder rehab with more aggression. For the original
article go to the August 2 issue of "Science".
This work opens doors to finding medical approaches for some
individual's aggressive behavior now that a mechanism is known.