title: Association of a polymorphism of the dopamine transporter gene with externalizing behavior problems and associated temperament traits: a longitudinal study from infancy to the mid-teens.
abstract: There have been reports that a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism situated in the 3' untranslated region of the dopamine transporter gene is associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. On the basis of these findings, we predicted an association of this polymorphism with hyperactivity, other externalizing behavior problems, and related temperament traits in a general population sample. The association was investigated using children participating in a longitudinal study of childhood temperament and development. DNA was taken from 660 children who had been assessed for temperament from 4-8 months to 15-16 years, and for behavior problems from 3-4 to 15-16 years. No significant associations were found at any age. There are a number of methodological differences from earlier studies that might explain the lack of associations with hyperactivity. It is also possible that the earlier findings are not replicable.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. anthony.jorm@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Jorm
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smart
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Easteal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D004247:DNA