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Dobewall H, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Saarinen A, Lyytikäinen LP, Zwir I, Cloninger R, Raitakari OT, Lehtimäki T, Hintsanen M. Genetic differential susceptibility to the parent-child relationship quality and the life span development of compassion. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22184. [PMID: 34423428 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The development of compassion for others might be influenced by the social experiences made during childhood and has a genetic component. No research has yet investigated whether the parent-child relationship quality interacts with genetic variation in the oxytocin and dopamine systems in predicting compassion over the life span. In the prospective Young Finns Study (N = 2099, 43.9% men), we examined the interaction between mother-reported emotional warmth and intolerance toward their child assessed in 1980 (age of participants, 3-18 years) and two established genetic risk scores for oxytocin levels and dopamine signaling activity. Dispositional compassion for others was measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory 1997, 2001, and 2012 (age of participants, 20-50 years). We found a gene-environment interaction (p = .031) that remained marginally significant after adjustment for multiple testing. In line with the differential susceptibility hypothesis, only participants who carry alleles associated with low dopamine signaling activity had higher levels of compassion when growing up with emotionally warm parents, whereas they had lower levels of compassion when their parents were emotionally cold. Children's genetic variability in the dopamine system might result in plasticity to early environmental influences that have a long-lasting effect on the development of compassion. However, our findings need replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Dobewall
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Aino Saarinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leo-Pekka Lyytikäinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Igor Zwir
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.,Department of Computer Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Robert Cloninger
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Olli T Raitakari
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Terho Lehtimäki
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Fimlab Laboratories, and Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center - Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.,Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mirka Hintsanen
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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2
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Cao Y, Chen G, Ji L, Zhang W. Inhibitory Control Mediates the Associations Between Parenting Practices and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene. J Youth Adolesc 2021; 50:2079-2095. [PMID: 34259955 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ample evidence suggested that parental responsiveness, demandingness, and autonomy granting protect adolescents from depressive symptoms. However, what is less well understood is how parenting practices reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. This study tested the protective effects of parenting practices and inhibitory control on depressive symptoms, along with the mediating role of inhibitory control and the moderating role of the COMT gene in linking parenting practices to depressive symptoms. The study utilized cross-sectional data from a community sample of Chinese Han adolescents (N = 943, Mage = 15.25 years, SD = 0.70 years; 51.9% girls). Results showed that parental responsiveness and autonomy granting promoted higher inhibitory control, which in turn was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Further, the mediation effects were moderated by the COMT gene. For adolescents with ValVal homozygotes, both responsiveness and autonomy granting were related to higher levels of inhibitory control, which reduced risk for depressive symptoms, but the mediation effects were not observed among Met allele carriers. The mediating role of inhibitory control did not hold in the parental demandingness model. Findings support the cognitive theory that inhibitory control is a proximal factor linking parenting practices to depressive symptoms exclusively in ValVal homozygotes. These results also suggested that differentiating different dimensions of parenting practices may help to further clarify the processes by which parenting practices eventuate depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmiao Cao
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guanghui Chen
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Linqin Ji
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250014, Shandong Province, China
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3
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Shinohara I, Moriguchi Y. Are there sex differences in the development of prefrontal function during early childhood? Dev Psychobiol 2020; 63:641-649. [PMID: 32984957 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Research has demonstrated the possibility of minor sex differences in executive function (EF) development of young children; however, this may be limited to the measurements used in previous studies (questionnaires and cognitive tasks), which tend to be less sensitive to the detection of sex differences. The present study uses brain measures to examine the effect of sex on EF development. In this study, preschool children were given an EF task, and patterns of activation in the lateral prefrontal regions were measured by a functional near-infrared spectroscopy. In Study 1, there were no behavioral differences between girls and boys, though girls showed stronger prefrontal activation than boys. Study 2 was conducted as an attempt to replicate the results, and some of the results were inconsistent with the results in Study 1. Results suggest that sex differences in EF tasks are small, although such differences may exist irrespective of methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuko Shinohara
- National Institute for Educational Policy Research of Japan, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Moriguchi
- Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Education, Joetsu University of Education, Joetsu, Japan
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4
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Zhang Y, Yang X, Wang Z. The COMT rs4680 polymorphism, family functioning and preschoolers' attentional control indexed by intraindividual reaction time variability. Dev Psychobiol 2020; 63:713-724. [PMID: 32974928 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Trial-to-trial intraindividual reaction time variability (IIRTV) serves as an index of attentional control and related endogenous brain function. What determinants contribute to preschoolers' attentional control indexed by IIRTV remains unknown. The present study examined how catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 polymorphism interacted with family functioning (cohesion and adaptability) to impact on preschoolers' attentional control indexed by IIRTV. One hundred forty-four preschool children (Mage = 4.19, SD = 0.63) completed the flanker task to assess their IIRTV. Their parents were asked to fill out the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale II to assess family functioning. After controlling for age, socioeconomic status (SES) and mean reaction time, results showed that the COMT rs4680 polymorphism was positively associated with preschoolers' IIRTV at the 5% significance level (p = .02) but not after multiple testing adjustment (p = .08). Moreover the COMT rs4680 polymorphism significantly interacted with family functioning to impact on preschoolers' IIRTV and the interaction effects remained significant after correction for multiple testing (p = .01, ΔR2 = 0.06 in congruent conditions; p = .04, ΔR2 = 0.04 in combined conditions). In addition, the significant interaction between SES and COMT rs4680 polymorphism was also found in the present study (p = .01, ΔR2 = 0.05 in congruent conditions; p = .05, ΔR2 = 0.03 in combined conditions). No sex differences were found in the present sample. The findings of the present study expand our knowledge about the gene × environment underpinnings of children's attentional control and endogenous brain function, and provide evidence for the Vantage Sensitivity model on children's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuewen Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Research Center of Child Mental and Behavioral Health, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Research Center of Child Mental and Behavioral Health, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhenhong Wang
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China.,Shaanxi Provincial Key Research Center of Child Mental and Behavioral Health, Xi'an, China
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5
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Abraham E, Scott MA, Blair C. Catechol- O-methyltransferase Val158Met Genotype and Early-Life Family Adversity Interactively Affect Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms Across Childhood. Front Genet 2020; 11:724. [PMID: 32765586 PMCID: PMC7381281 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders of childhood. The dopaminergic system has been shown to have substantial effects on its etiology, with both functional Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met genotype and early-life environmental adversity involved in the risk of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined for the first time the impact of proximal and distal early-life family adversity and COMT Val158Met polymorphism gene - both the direct and the interactive effects, on children's ADHD symptoms across childhood. Data came from the Family Life Project, a prospective longitudinal study of 1,292 children and families in high poverty from birth to 11 years. In infancy, data regarding socioeconomic (SES)-risk-factors, observed-caregiving behaviors, and DNA genotyping were collected. In early and middle childhood teachers rated the occurrence and severity of the child's ADHD symptoms. Multilevel growth curve models revealed independent effects of COMT, early-life SES-risk and negative caregiving on ADHD symptoms in early and middle childhood. Significant gene-environment interactions were found, indicating that overall, carriers of at least one COMT158Met allele were more sensitive to early-life adversity, showing higher inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms severity in childhood when exposed to high SES-risk factors in infancy, compared to Val-Val carriers. Findings provide new insights into the complex etiology of ADHD and underline the need for further investigation of the neuronal mechanisms underlying gene-environment interactions. Findings might have implications for prevention and intervention strategies with a focus on early-life family relationships in genetically at-risk children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Abraham
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marc A. Scott
- Department of Applied Statistics, Social Science, and Humanities, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Clancy Blair
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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6
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Moriguchi Y, Sakata C. Development of Cognitive Shifting from Others’ Behavior in Young Children: A Near-infrared Spectroscopy Study. Dev Neuropsychol 2019; 45:39-47. [DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2019.1710512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chifumi Sakata
- Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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7
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Bowers ME, Buzzell GA, Salo V, Troller-Renfree SV, Hodgkinson CA, Goldman D, Gorodetsky E, Martin McDermott J, Henderson HA, Fox NA. Relations between catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met genotype and inhibitory control development in childhood. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 62:181-190. [PMID: 31372986 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Val158Met rs4680 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, primarily involved in dopamine breakdown within prefrontal cortex, has shown relations with inhibitory control (IC) in both adults and children. However, little is known about how COMT genotype relates to developmental trajectories of IC throughout childhood. Here, our study explored the effects of the COMT genotype (Val/Val, Val/Met, and Met/Met) on IC trajectories between the ages of 5 and 10 years. Children (n = 222) completed a Go/Nogo task at ages 5, 7, and 10; IC was characterized using signal detection theory to examine IC performance (d') and response strategy (RS) (criterion). COMT genotype was not related to initial levels of IC performance and RS at age 5 or change in RS from ages 5 to 10. In contrast, COMT genotype was related to change in IC performance between 5 and 10 years. While Val/Val children did not differ from Val/Met children in development of IC performance, children with the Met/Met genotype exhibited more rapid development of IC performance when compared with Val/Met peers. These results suggest that COMT genotype modulates the development of IC performance in middle childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen E Bowers
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - George A Buzzell
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Virginia Salo
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Sonya V Troller-Renfree
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Colin A Hodgkinson
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Intramural Research Program, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Goldman
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Intramural Research Program, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Elena Gorodetsky
- Office of Research on Women's Health, The National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Nathan A Fox
- Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.,Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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8
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Abstract
In the last decade, advances in neuroimaging technologies have given rise to a large number of research studies that investigate the neural underpinnings of executive function (EF). EF has long been associated with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and involves both a unified, general element, as well as the distinct, separable elements of working memory, inhibitory control and set shifting. We will highlight the value of utilising advances in neuroimaging techniques to uncover answers to some of the most pressing questions in the field of early EF development. First, this review will explore the development and neural substrates of each element of EF. Second, the structural, anatomical and biochemical changes that occur in the PFC during infancy and throughout childhood will be examined, in order to address the importance of these changes for the development of EF. Third, the importance of connectivity between regions of the PFC and other brain areas in EF development is reviewed. Finally, throughout this review more recent developments in neuroimaging techniques will be addressed, alongside the implications for further elucidating the neural substrates of early EF development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Fiske
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Karla Holmboe
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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9
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Differences in Sensitivity to Environment Depending on Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene? A Meta-analysis of Child and Adolescent Gene-by-Environment Studies. J Youth Adolesc 2019; 48:655-667. [PMID: 30830534 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-019-01004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
To date, several gene-by-environment (G×E) meta-analyses have been conducted to provide cumulative G×E evidence from previous inconsistent empirical studies; however, these meta-analyses have mainly focused on the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). The present study aimed to conduct the first meta-analysis that tested whether and how an important dopaminergic gene-the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene contributed to differences in child and adolescent environmental sensitivity. A total of 22 studies with 20,528 participants involving in various developmental outcomes (e.g., externalizing problems, emotional problems, cognitive development and social behaviors) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled effect size of environment-outcome associations in the Met-allele carriers (r = 0.11, 95% CI = [0.07, 0.15], p < .001) did not significantly differ from that in the Val/Val homozygotes (r = 0.14, 95% CI = [0.08, 0.20], p < 0.001) (Qcontrast (1) = 0.37, p = 0.54). The aggregated Liptak-Stouffer Z-score that combined the p-values of the COMT-environment interaction yield a nonsignificant result (p = 0.52). Moreover, outcome domain, sample age, ethnicity and assessment methods for the environment and the outcome did not moderate the effect sizes. Thus far, the COMT Val158Met polymorphism fails to explain the differences in sensitivity to environment. Future studies might incorporate more factors, such as polygenic effects of genetic pathways, epigenetics (EpiG) processing and sexual dimorphism, into the COMT-environment interaction equation.
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10
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Mir R, Bhat M, Javid J, Jha C, Saxena A, Banu S. Potential Impact of COMT-rs4680 G > A Gene Polymorphism in Coronary Artery Disease. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:jcdd5030038. [PMID: 30011860 PMCID: PMC6162781 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays a central role in DNA repair and estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. The nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 4 G > A or Val108 > 158Met or rs4680 G > A influences COMT enzyme activity. The three phenotypes of the COMT enzyme activities include COMT A/A with low enzyme activity, COMT A/G with medium enzyme activity and COMT G/G with high enzyme activity. The Met allele is associated with low enzymatic activity resulting in higher levels of prefrontal dopamine. Conversely, the Val allele is associated with high enzymatic activity and lower levels of prefrontal dopamine. The Met allele has been associated with several psychiatric disorders such as panic disorder. Many recent epidemiologic studies have investigated the association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and coronary artery diseases risk, but the results are inconclusive. Therefore our study was aimed to explore the association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease in India. Methology: This study was conducted on 100 clinically confirmed cases of coronary artery diseases and 100 healthy controls. COMT Val158Met genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). Results: A significant correlation was observed in the COMT Val158Met genotype distribution between the coronary artery disease cases and healthy controls (p = 0.008). The frequencies of all three genotypes, GG, GA, AA, reported in the CAD patients were 10%, 70%, and 20%, and 30%, 60%, and 10% in the healthy controls respectively. An increased risk of coronary artery disease was observed in the codominant inheritance model for COMT-GA vs. GG genotype with an OR of 3.5, 95% CI (1.58–7.74) p = 0.002) and COMT-AA vs. GG genotype with an OR of 6.0 95% CI (2.11–17.3) p = 0.003). The higher risk of coronary artery disease was observed in the dominant inheritance model for COMT (GA + AA) vs. GG genotype (OR 3.85, 95% CI 1.76–8.4, p < 0.007), whereas a non-significant association was found in recessive model for COMT (GG + GA vs. AA) (OR = 2.01, 95% CI (0.86–4.7) p = 0.72). The results indicated that A allele significantly increased the risk of coronary artery disease compared to the G allele (OR = 1.8, 95% CI (1.20–2.67) p = 0.004). COMT Val158Met polymorphism leads to a 6.0, 3.5 and 1.8-fold increased risk of developing coronary artery disease in the Indian population and providing novel insights into the genetic etiology and underlying biology of coronary artery disease. Conclusions: It is concluded that COMT-AA genotype and A allele are significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to coronary artery disease in Indian population. A larger sample size can be the key to progress in establishing the genetic co-relationship of COMT polymorphism and cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Musadiq Bhat
- Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi 110002, India.
| | - Jamsheed Javid
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Chandan Jha
- Department of Human Genetics, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, India.
| | - Alpana Saxena
- Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi 110002, India.
| | - Shaheen Banu
- Department of Biochemistry, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardio-vascular Science & Research & Karnataka Institute of Diabetology, Bangalore 560069, India.
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11
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Laasonen M, Smolander S, Lahti-Nuuttila P, Leminen M, Lajunen HR, Heinonen K, Pesonen AK, Bailey TM, Pothos EM, Kujala T, Leppänen PHT, Bartlett CW, Geneid A, Lauronen L, Service E, Kunnari S, Arkkila E. Understanding developmental language disorder - the Helsinki longitudinal SLI study (HelSLI): a study protocol. BMC Psychol 2018; 6:24. [PMID: 29784061 PMCID: PMC5963016 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-018-0222-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developmental language disorder (DLD, also called specific language impairment, SLI) is a common developmental disorder comprising the largest disability group in pre-school-aged children. Approximately 7% of the population is expected to have developmental language difficulties. However, the specific etiological factors leading to DLD are not yet known and even the typical linguistic features appear to vary by language. We present here a project that investigates DLD at multiple levels of analysis and aims to make the reliable prediction and early identification of the difficulties possible. Following the multiple deficit model of developmental disorders, we investigate the DLD phenomenon at the etiological, neural, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial levels, in a longitudinal study of preschool children. METHODS In January 2013, we launched the Helsinki Longitudinal SLI study (HelSLI) at the Helsinki University Hospital ( http://tiny.cc/HelSLI ). We will study 227 children aged 3-6 years with suspected DLD and their 160 typically developing peers. Five subprojects will determine how the child's psychological characteristics and environment correlate with DLD and how the child's well-being relates to DLD, the characteristics of DLD in monolingual versus bilingual children, nonlinguistic cognitive correlates of DLD, electrophysiological underpinnings of DLD, and the role of genetic risk factors. Methods include saliva samples, EEG, computerized cognitive tasks, neuropsychological and speech and language assessments, video-observations, and questionnaires. DISCUSSION The project aims to increase our understanding of the multiple interactive risk and protective factors that affect the developing heterogeneous cognitive and behavioral profile of DLD, including factors affecting literacy development. This accumulated knowledge will form a heuristic basis for the development of new interventions targeting linguistic and non-linguistic aspects of DLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marja Laasonen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4 E, 00029 HUS, POB 220 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sini Smolander
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4 E, 00029 HUS, POB 220 Helsinki, Finland
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Pekka Lahti-Nuuttila
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4 E, 00029 HUS, POB 220 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miika Leminen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4 E, 00029 HUS, POB 220 Helsinki, Finland
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna-Reetta Lajunen
- HUS Medical Imaging Center, Clinical Neurophysiology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kati Heinonen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu-Katriina Pesonen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Teija Kujala
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Christopher W. Bartlett
- Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital & The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA
| | - Ahmed Geneid
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4 E, 00029 HUS, POB 220 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Lauronen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elisabet Service
- Centre for Advanced Research in Experimental and Applied Linguistics, Department of Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Sari Kunnari
- Research Unit of Logopedics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Eva Arkkila
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 4 E, 00029 HUS, POB 220 Helsinki, Finland
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12
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Zhang H, Li J, Yang B, Ji T, Long Z, Xing Q, Shao D, Bai H, Sun J, Cao F. The divergent impact of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val 158Met genetic polymorphisms on executive function in adolescents with discrete patterns of childhood adversity. Compr Psychiatry 2018; 81:33-41. [PMID: 29222971 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met functional polymorphisms play a crucial role in the development of executive function (EF), but their effect may be moderated by environmental factors such as childhood adversity. The present study aimed at testing the divergent impact of the COMT Val158Met genotype on EF in non-clinical adolescents with discrete patterns of childhood adversity. METHODS A total of 341 participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the self-reported version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and self-administered questionnaires on familial function. The participants' COMT Val158Met genotype was determined. Associations among the variables were explored using latent class analysis and general linear models. RESULTS We found that Val/Val homozygotes showed significantly worse performance on behavioral shift, relative to Met allele carriers (F=5.921, p=0.015, Partial η2=0.018). Moreover, three typical patterns of childhood adversity, namely, low childhood adversity (23.5%), childhood neglect (59.8%), and high childhood adversity (16.7%), were found. Both childhood neglect and high childhood adversity had a negative impact on each aspect of EF and on global EF performance. Importantly, these results provided evidence for significant interaction effects, as adolescents with the Val/Val genotype showed inferior behavioral shift performance than Met carriers (F=6.647, p=0.010, Partial η2=0.020) in the presence of high childhood adversity. Furthermore, there were no differences between the genotypes for childhood neglect and low childhood adversity. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this is the first study to show that an interaction between the COMT genotype and childhood adversity affects EF in non-clinical adolescents. These results suggest that the COMT genotype may operate as a susceptibility gene vulnerable to an adverse environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Zhang
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Jie Li
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Bei Yang
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Tao Ji
- Zaozhuang Vocational College, Zaozhuang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zhouting Long
- Zaozhuang Vocational College, Zaozhuang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Qiquan Xing
- Zaozhuang Vocational College, Zaozhuang, Shandong, PR China
| | - Di Shao
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Huayu Bai
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Jiwei Sun
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
| | - Fenglin Cao
- School of Nursing, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
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13
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Moriguchi Y, Shinohara I. Effect of the COMT Val158Met genotype on lateral prefrontal activations in young children. Dev Sci 2018; 21:e12649. [PMID: 29314589 PMCID: PMC6175303 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Low executive function (EF) during early childhood is a major risk factor for developmental delay, academic failure, and social withdrawal. Susceptible genes may affect the molecular and biological mechanisms underpinning EF. More specifically, genes associated with the regulation of prefrontal dopamine may modulate the response of prefrontal neurons during executive control. Several studies with adults and older children have shown that variants of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene are associated with behavioral performance and prefrontal activations in EF tasks. However, the effect of the COMT genotype on prefrontal activations during EF tasks on young children is still unknown. The present study examined whether a common functional polymorphism (Val158Met) in the COMT gene was associated with prefrontal activations and cognitive shifting in 3‐ to 6‐year‐old children. The study revealed that, compared with children with at least one Met allele (Met/Met and Met/Val), children who were Val homozygous (i) were more able to flexibly switch rules in cognitive shifting tasks and (ii) exhibited increased activations in lateral prefrontal regions during these tasks. This is the first evidence that demonstrates the relationship between a gene polymorphism and prefrontal activations in young children. It also indicates that COMT Val homozygosity may be advantageous for cognitive shifting and prefrontal functions, at least during early childhood, and children who possess this variant may have a lower risk of developing future cognitive and social development issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Moriguchi
- Graduate School of Education, Kyoto University, Yoshidahoncho, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of School Education, Joetsu University of Education, Yamayashikicho, Joetsu, Japan.,Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ikuko Shinohara
- National Institute for Educational Policy Research of Japan, Chiyodku, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Yang PY, Menga YJ, Li T, Huang Y. Associations of endocrine stress-related gene polymorphisms with risk of autism spectrum disorders: Evidence from an integrated meta-analysis. Autism Res 2017; 10:1722-1736. [PMID: 28656683 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are related to serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) as two most monoaminergic polymorphic variations. However, multiple studies assessing rs4680 and 5-HTTLPR variants in ASD have reported inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted an integrated meta-analysis to combine case-control and transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) studies to determine whether COMT and 5-HTT are associated with ASD. We searched multiple electronic databases (PubMed, EmBase and Web of Science) to identify studies assessing the rs4680 and 5-HTTLPR variants in ASD from Jan 1997 to Dec 2016. Then allelic data from case-control and TDT studies were analyzed by the Catmap package in the R software. A total of 5 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis of rs4680, including 3 case-control, 1 TDT and 1 TDT & case-control studies. Meanwhile, 22 studies of 5-HTTLPR were available, including 16 TDT, 4 case-control and 2 TDT & case-control studies. The current meta-analysis included 814 ASD cases, 741 controls and 311 families related to rs4680; 749 ASD cases, 1,118 controls and 1,861 families relevant to 5-HTTLPR were also evaluated. For rs4680, the pooled OR was 1.18 (95% CI = 0.87-1.59, P = 0.29, Pheterogeneity < 0.00001). There was no significant association of rs4680 with risk of ASD between the two subgroups. For 5-HTTLPR, the pooled OR was 1.05 (95% CI = 0.92-1.20, P = 0.4652, Pheterogeneity < 0.00001). Meanwhile, we found no significant risk in individual case-control or TDT studies. The above findings indicated that neither COMT rs4680 nor 5-HTT 5-HTTLPR polymorphism significantly affects ASD risk. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1722-1736. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Our results showed no evidence of significant association of either COMT rs4680 or 5-HTT 5-HTTLPR variants with ASD, showing that these two genes may not be major susceptible genetic factors in ASD occurrence, and may have a reciprocal action with each other in combination with environmental factors. These findings further provide evidence that a single gene variant may not dictate autism occurrence, but possibly contributes to a specific phenotype or subtype of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Yuan Yang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Jing Menga
- Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Psychiatric Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Brain Research Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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