Monoamine Oxidase A Gene (MAOA) Associated with Attitude Towards Longshot Risks

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008516
• Publication Date: 2009-12-30T21:19:40Z
• Authors: Songfa Zhong; Salomon Israel; Hong Xue; Richard P. Ebstein; Soo Hong Chew
• Keywords: Lottery

Decision making often entails longshot risks involving a small chance of receiving substantial outcome. People tend to be risk preferring (averse) when facing significant gains (losses). This differentiation towards underpins the markets for lottery as well insurance. Both and insurance have emerged since ancient times continue play useful role in modern economy. In this study, we observe subjects' incentivized choices controlled laboratory setting, investigate their association with widely studied, promoter-region repeat functional polymorphism monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA). We find that subjects high activity (4-repeat) allele are characterized by preference also less purchasing than low (3-repeat) allele. is first result link attitude specific gene. It complements recent findings on neurobiological basis economic taking.