Candidate genes: MAOA & CDH13

• Which two genes have been linked to criminal behaviour?

  • MAOA (monoamine oxidase A) - linked to impulse control

  • CDH13 (Cadherin 13) - linked to substance abuse and ADHD
• What evidence supports the role of MAOA in criminal behaviour?

  • Brunner et Al (1993) studied 28 male members of a Dutch family with histories of violent crime (e.g. rape, attempted murder)

  • found they shared a genetic mutation leading to low MAOA levels (nicknamed the ‘warrior gene’)
• What did Tihonen et Al (2015) discover?

  • studied 900 Finnish offenders

  • found low MAOA and CDH13 activity

  • estimated 5-10% of violent crime in Finland could be linked to these gene abnormalities