Brunner

Question 1

what was Brunner’s study?

Answer 1

a study of violence in a family with genetic abnormalities

Question 2

what was the aim of this study?

Answer 2

to investigate a case study on a family from the Netherlands where males were affected by a syndrome of borderline mental retardation and abnormal violence e.g. attempted rape and arson

Question 3

what was brunners procedure ?

Answer 3

5 affected males were studied data was collected from analysis of urine samples over 24 hours

Question 4

what findings were found?

Answer 4

the tests showed disturbed monomine metabolism associated with deficts of the enzyme monoaime oxidase (MAOA)

Question 5

what was found in the enzyme?

Answer 5

a mutation was identified in the X chromosome of the gene responsible for the production of MAOA

Question 6

what does MAOA stand for?

Answer 6

Monoamine oxidase

Question 7

what conclusion was drawn?

Answer 7

MAOA is involved in serotonin metabolism. Impaired metabolism of serotonin is likely to be responsible for mental retardation and this could be linked to aggressive behaviour