ASSOCIAÇÃO DO POLIMORFISMO MAOA uVNTR COM DESENVOLVIMENTO DE ALCOOLISMO E TABAGISMO EM POPULAÇÃO IDOSA DO DISTRITO FEDERAL
MAOA uVNTR polymorphism, diabetes, arterial hypertension, substance use disorder, non-communicable disease
Background: Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is involved in several biological processes associated with well-being and mental health, and alterations in its function might directly impact various mental disorders. Some mental disorders concomitantly occur in individuals with Chronic Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). Objective: Analyze the functional MAOA uVNTR polymorphism genotype frequency in an older adult population with NCDs and associate this frequency with social characteristics that impact this population's daily life. Methodology: Older adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, or both (NCDs) were selected, and their MAOA gene was genotyped for uVNTR polymorphism. A questionnaire was applied to determine social, clinical, and behavioral characteristics as well as the revised Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) interpretations. Results: The allelic variants were detected among the participants: 2R, 3R, 4R, and the 3R/4R heterozygous genotype. Only genotypes with the 3R allele had patients who marked yes for smoking and alcoholism, and only with the 3R genotype, this was significant. Although not statistically significant, only 3R and 3R/4R genotypes presented cases of severe depression per the revised BDI interpretations. Conclusion: The MAOA uVNTR polymorphism's low activity 3R allele presence in an older adult population diagnosed with NDCs may represent a risk for developing substance use (alcohol and smoking) dependence.