Variation in the catechol-O-methyltransferase Val 158 Met polymorphism associated with conduct disorder and ADHD symptoms, among adolescent male delinquents.
OBJECTIVE
Variation in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT) has been associated with antisocial behavior in populations with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined whether COMT would predict antisocial behavior in a sample with high levels of behavior problems, not necessarily ADHD. In addition, because previous research suggests that COMT may be associated with ADHD in males, association between COMT and ADHD symptoms was examined.


METHODS
This study tested whether variation in three polymorphisms of the COMT gene was predictive of symptoms of conduct disorder and ADHD, in a sample of 174 incarcerated Russian adolescent male delinquents.


RESULTS
The Val allele of the ValMet polymorphism was significantly associated with conduct disorder diagnosis and symptoms, whereas the Met allele was associated with ADHD symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The ValMet polymorphism of the COMT gene shows a complex relation to behavior problems, influencing conduct disorder and ADHD symptoms in opposite directions in a high-risk population.
DeYoung
Colin G
CG
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minnesota, USA.
Getchell
Marya
M
Koposov
Roman A
RA
Yrigollen
Carolyn M
CM
Haeffel
Gerald J
GJ
af Klinteberg
Britt
B
Oreland
Lars
L
Ruchkin
Vladislav V
VV
Pakstis
Andrew J
AJ
Grigorenko
Elena L
EL
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics*; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase