The association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase Val108/158Met polymorphism and hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms in youth

Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility

Aggression constitutes a significant behavioral issue associated with delinquent behavior, commonly observed in youth diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) and living in correctional facilities. Catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT) gene variants modify the environmental sensitivity associated with the risk of aggression. This study evaluated the association of COMT rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms with aggressive behavior in 341 male adolescents living inside and outside a correctional facility, with or without a diagnosis of CD. Aggression was assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL-YV), Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire. COMT rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. A similar prevalence of the COMT genotypes or haplotypes was found between adolescents with or without CD, suicidal behavior, or detention in correctional facility. In youth with CD, the COMT rs4680 A allele was associated with higher MOAS verbal aggression, aggression toward objects, irritability (subjective and open), and PCL-YV interpersonal domain scores compared with carriers of the COMT rs4680 G allele. COMT rs4818 GC carriers with CD had higher scores on the MOAS subjective irritability than GG heterozygotes. These novel findings revealed the association of lower COMT rs4680 and rs4818 activity alleles with aggression in detained male adolescents with CD.

COMT Val/Met and Psychopathic Traits in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and New Evidence of a Developmental Trajectory toward Psychopathy

Psychopathic traits in youth may lead to adult criminal behaviors/psychopathy. The Val158Met polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) may influence the risk for psychopathy-related behaviors, while acting as a biomarker for predicting treatment response to dopaminergic medications. The literature shows inconsistent findings, making the interpretation of COMT's role difficult. The aims of this article are (i) to conduct a systematic review to analyze the effects of COMT Val158Met on psychopathic traits in children and adolescents, and (ii) to present new evidence on the developmental trajectory of the association of Val158Met and youth psychopathic traits. For the systematic review, a literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, OVID Medline and PsychINFO with the search terms for psychopathic traits, Val158Met and age of interest. In our genotype study, the COMT Val158Met genotype of 293 youth with European ancestry was analyzed in association with the psychopathy-related behavior scores from the Child Behavior Checklist and the Psychopathy Screening Device. To examine the potential influence of developmental changes, the sample was split into at or above and below age 13, and analyses were performed in males and females separately. The literature search yielded twenty-eight articles to be included in the systematic review, which demonstrated mixed results on the association depending on environmental factors, sex ratios, age groups and behavioral disorder diagnoses. The results from our genotype study revealed that Met homozygous youth in the below age 13 group and conversely Val carrier youth in the above age 13 group were more likely to display psychopathic traits. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically review the effects of COMT Val158Met on psychopathic traits in childhood and adolescence, and to provide new evidence on the changing effects of Val158Met on psychopathy-related behaviors with development. Elucidating the role of the COMT genotype in conjunction with the child versus adolescent stage of development for psychopathic traits may help predict treatment response, and may lead to early intervention and prevention strategies.

Val158Met polymorphisms of COMT gene and serum concentrations of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters of ADHD in Chinese children and adolescents

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the Val158Met polymorphisms of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene and serum concentrations of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children and adolescents.All the subjects (180 paired ADHD and non-ADHD children and adolescents) were genotyped for the Val158Met polymorphisms of the COMT gene, and determined by the difference of dopamine and noradrenalin from a 1:1 paired case-control study.The frequencies of methionine (A)/A, valine (G)/A, and G/G were 51.67%, 41.11%, and 7.22% in the case group, and 62.22%, 31.11%, and 6.67% in the control group. There was a significant difference in the distribution of all genotypes of the COMT gene between the 2 groups (odds ratio = 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.62-2.08; χ2 = 7.80, P < .05). The serum concentrations of dopamine and noradrenalin were 1.42 ± 0.34 ng/mL and 177.70 ± 37.92 pg/mL in the case group, and 1.94 ± 0.42 ng/mL and 206.20 ± 42.45 pg/mL in the control group. There were the significant differences in the levels of dopamine and noradrenalin between the 2 groups (dopamine: t = 4.30, P < .01; noradrenalin: t = 2.24, P < .05).Our study suggested that the Val158Met polymorphisms of the COMT gene and serum concentrations of catecholaminergic neurotransmitters were associated with ADHD children and adolescents.

Association of Val158Met polymorphism in COMT gene with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder: An updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The results of published articles on the relationship between the Val158Met polymorphism in the (Catechol-O-methyltransferase) COMT gene and the susceptibility of attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) are controversial. We conducted an updated meta-analysis of case-control studies to assess the relationship between Val158Met polymorphism in COMT gene and ADHD susceptibility.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all the case-control studies on the relationship between the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and ADHD susceptibility. According to the heterogeneity test results among studies evaluated with I, the fixed effect model or random effect model was selected as the pooling method. Meta-regression as well as sensitive analysis were used to explore possible causes of between-study heterogeneity. The funnel plot and Harbord test were used to estimate publication bias.

RESULTS

Finally, seventeen studies that met the inclusion criteria were included. The Val158Met genotype distributions of COMT gene in controls were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in all studies. In general, there was no significant association between the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and ADHD susceptibility in dominant, recessive, and codominant models. The recessive genetic model (I = 60.8%) showed strong heterogeneity among studies, and still no significant association was found after sensitivity analysis. Subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity (Asian and Caucasian) also showed that there was no significant association in the above-mentioned three models.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated meta-analysis indicated that the Val158Met polymorphism in the COMT gene may not be related to the risk of ADHD. Further researches are needed to confirm these results.

Effects of Childhood Adversity and Its Interaction with the MAOA, BDNF, and COMT Polymorphisms on Subclinical Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms in Generally Healthy Youth

We aimed to investigate the effects of childhood adversity and its interaction with the polymorphisms in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes on attention and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a community sample of generally healthy youth. Participants (N = 432) completed questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness) and adverse childhood experiences, such as adverse environments (AEs) and childhood maltreatment (CM). Salivary genomic DNA was used to test polymorphisms in MAOA, BDNF, and COMT genes. A gene score (GS) was created based on the number of risk allele in the studied genes. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the genetic and environmental effects on ADHD symptoms. The univariate analysis indicated that CM was significantly associated with inattention (β = 0.48 [95% confidence interval 0.16-0.79]), hyperactivity (0.25 [0.06-0.45]), and impulsiveness (1.16 [0.26-2.05]), while the GS was associated with hyperactivity (0.22 [0.11-0.33]) and impulsiveness (0.56 [0.06-1.05]). Only the GS remained significantly associated with hyperactivity (0.25 [0.12-0.37]) and impulsiveness (0.79 [0.20-1.38]) when the gene-environment interaction term was added in the model. No effects were found for AE and the gene-environment interaction term. In conclusion, CM was associated with ADHD symptoms in emerging adulthood. Genetic factors may also play a significant role in the association with these outcomes.

Identification and validation of risk factors for antisocial behaviour involving police

Adult antisocial behaviour has precursors in childhood and adolescence and is most successfully treated using childhood interventions. The aim of this study was to identify and validate robust risk factors for antisocial behaviour involving police contact in a data-driven, hypothesis-free framework. Antisocial behavior involving police contact (20/25% incidence) as well as 554 other behavioural and environmental measures were assessed in the longitudinal general population Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study sample (n=872). The strongest risk factors for antisocial behaviour included past substance use disorder, gender, aggressive mode of action upon provocation, and concentration difficulties and physical fighting in school at age 15 years. Prediction using the selected variables for both methods in the other, unseen cohort resulted in an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.78-0.84. Our work confirms known risk factors for antisocial behaviour as well as identifies novel specific risk factors. Together, these provide good predictive power in an unseen cohort. Our identification and validation of risk factors for antisocial behaviour can aid early intervention for at-risk individuals.

Interaction Between Season of Birth and COMT Val158Met (rs4680) in ADHD in a Large Sample of Chinese Han Participants

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the interaction between catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT) Val108/158Met (rs4680) and season of birth (SOB) on ADHD and its symptoms.

METHOD

We conducted transmission disequilibrium tests (TDTs) in 976 trios, then further performed the above analyses in subgroups according to SOB. Quantitative analyses were performed for ADHD symptoms evaluated by ADHD Rating Scale-IV in 1,530 ADHD cases.

RESULTS

Overall, there was no association between COMT and ADHD. After stratification, we found an increased transmission of the Val allele in the trios born in spring, while a decreased transmission was observed in the autumn months. We also observed a significant interaction between Val108/158Met and SOB on ADHD symptoms. Among those born in spring, Met carriers had milder ADHD symptoms compared with Val homozygotes, whereas opposite association was found in those born in autumn.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided evidence for the modifying effect of SOB on the association between COMT and ADHD along with its symptoms.

Reduced brain activation during inhibitory control in children with COMT Val/Val genotype

INTRODUCTION

Behavioral undercontrol is a well-established risk factor for substance use disorder, identifiable at an early age well before the onset of substance use. However, the biological mechanistic structure underlying the behavioral undercontrol/substance use relationship is not well understood. The enzyme catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) catabolizes dopamine and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, brain regions involved in behavioral control. The goal of this work was to investigate the association between genetic variation in COMT functioning and fronto-striatal brain functioning during successful inhibitory control, a critical aspect of behavioral control.

METHODS

Participants were 65 (22 female) 7-12 year olds who were genotyped for the functional COMT Val¹⁵⁸Met (rs4680) single-nucleotide polymorphism and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a go/no-go task. The majority of the sample (80%) had at least one parent with a history of alcohol use disorder and were thus at heightened risk for substance use disorders.

RESULTS

There was a significant main effect of genotype on brain activation in left and right putamen during successful versus failed inhibition and in right inferior frontal gyrus/insula during successful inhibition versus baseline. Follow-up tests revealed that Met homozygotes had greater activation in each region relative to Val homozygotes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are relevant for understanding how specific genes influence brain functioning related to underlying risk factors for substance use disorders and other disinhibitory psychopathologies.

The association of 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR gene polymorphisms and borderline personality disorder in female heroin-dependent Chinese subjects

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between the 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR polymorphisms with co-morbid borderline personality disorder (BPD) in female heroin-dependent patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In a case control study, we compared the polymorphic distributions of 5-HTR2A-1438A/G, COMTVal158Met, MAOA-LPR, DATVNTR and 5-HTTVNTR in 296 female heroin-dependent patients (including 61 patients with BPD and 235 without BPD) and 101 normal females by genotypes, alleles, and interaction between genes.

RESULTS

Female heroin-dependent subjects with BPD have lower frequency of the high activity allele (L: 4 repeats (4R)) of MAOA-LPR than those female heroin-dependent subjects without BPD, and have higher 5-HTTVNTR 10R/10R genotype frequency than normal female controls, with adjusted P-value<0.05 (after adjusted for multiple testing by 1000-fold permutation tests) respectively. By MDR (Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction) analyses, the interactive effects between MAOA-LPR and 5-HTTVNTR, and among MAOA-LPR, 5-HTTVNTR and rs6311 were close to the significance level (P=0.05) in predicting the risk of co-morbidity of BPD and heroin dependence relative to normal female controls, with 1000-fold permutation testing P-value<0.06 however >0.05 respectively.

CONCLUSION

5-HTTVNTR and MAOA-LPR may have independent predictive effects on co-morbid BPD in female heroin-dependent patients; the gene-gene interactions between MAOA-LPR and 5-HTTVNTR, and among MAOA-LPR, 5-HTTVNTR and rs6311 might also be involved in the etiology of this co-morbidity.