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Low platelet MAO activity associated with high dysfunctional impulsivity and antisocial behavior: evidence from drunk drivers

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Abstract

Rationale

Low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity is associated with problem drinking and other deviant behaviors. Since the majority of alcohol abusers are smokers, and tobacco smoke has a direct inhibitory effect on the enzyme, these associations may not be meaningful.

Objective

The authors compared platelet MAO activity and impulsivity in police-referred subjects caught driving while intoxicated and in control subjects, controlling for smoking.

Methods

Platelet MAO activity was measured radioenzymatically and impulsivity scores obtained from questionnaires. Smoking status was self-reported.

Results

Subjects caught driving while intoxicated had significantly higher dysfunctional impulsivity and lower platelet MAO activity than control subjects. This difference in platelet MAO activity between the two groups was significant in non-smokers and ex-smokers.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that platelet MAO activity is lower in subjects with socially deviant behavior, and the association of low platelet MAO and problem drinking is not an artifact of smoking.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Estonian Science Foundation (grants 3934, 5209 and 5450), the Estonian Ministry of Education (grant 0814), and the Estonian Road Administration (grant LSOPH01030). We are grateful to Margit Kirk for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Center of Behavioral and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia

    Diva Eensoo & Maarike Harro

  2. Department of Psychology, Center of Behavioral and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, 40510, Tartu, Estonia

    Marika Paaver & Jaanus Harro

  3. Department of Psychology, Tallinn Pedagogical University, Tallinn, Estonia

    Aleksander Pulver

Authors
  1. Diva Eensoo
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  2. Marika Paaver
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  3. Aleksander Pulver
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  4. Maarike Harro
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  5. Jaanus Harro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jaanus Harro.

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Eensoo, D., Paaver, M., Pulver, A. et al. Low platelet MAO activity associated with high dysfunctional impulsivity and antisocial behavior: evidence from drunk drivers. Psychopharmacology 172, 356–358 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1664-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1664-y

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