Human behavior is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is among the most investigated genetic determinants of violent behaviors, while the monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) is explored in Parkinson's disease. We collected twenty-four post-mortem brain tissue datasets of 3871 and 1820 non-demented males and females, respectively, who died from causes not attributable to neurodegenerative diseases. The gene expressions of MAOA and MAOB (MAO genes) were analyzed in these subjects, who were further stratified according to age into eleven groups ranging from late Infancy (5-9 months) to centenarians (>100 years). MAO genes were differently expressed in brains during the entire life span. In particular, maximal and minimal expression levels were found in early life and around the teen years. Females tended to have higher MAO gene levels throughout their lives than those found in age-matched males, even when expressions were separately measured in different brain regions. We demonstrated the existence of age- and sex- related variations in the MAO transcript levels in defined brain regions. More in-depth protein studies are needed to confirm our preliminary results obtained only on messenger RNAs in order to establish the role played by MAO genes in human development.

Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences Section of Anatomy Histology and Movement Sciences School of Medicine University of Catania Italy

Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences Section of Biochemistry University of Catania 95123 Catania Italy

International Clinical Research Center St' Anne University Hospital Brno Czech Republic

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo Strada Statale 113 C da Casazza 98124 Messina Italy

Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group Institute of Inflammation and Aging University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT UK

Section of Biochemistry Department of Drug Sciences University of Catania 95123 Catania Italy

UniCamillus Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences Via di Sant'Alessandro 8 00131 Rome Italy

University of California San Diego Department of Psychiatry Health Science San Diego La Jolla CA USA

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