Study Report

Basic Info
Reference |
Palmason H, 201019946713
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Citation |
Palmason H., Moser D., Sigmund J., Vogler C., Hanig S., Schneider A., Seitz C., Marcus A., Meyer J. and Freitag C. M. (2010) "Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder phenotype is influenced by a functional catechol-O-methyltransferase variant." J Neural Transm, 117(2): 259-67.
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Study Design |
family-based |
Study Type |
Candidate-gene association study |
Sample Size |
166 clinically referred, unrelated children |
Predominant Ethnicity |
Caucasian |
Population |
Germany |
Age Group |
Children/Adolescents
:
6-13 years
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Detail Info
Summary |
The aim of the present study was to assess the COMT Val158Met SNP as a risk factor for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADHD symptom severity and co-morbid conduct disorder (CD) in 166 children with ADHD. The main finding of the present study is that the Met allele of the COMT Val158Met SNP was associated with ADHD and increased ADHD symptom severity. No association with co-morbid CD was observed. In addition, ADHD symptom severity and early adverse familial environment were positive predictors of lifetime CD. These findings support previous results implicating COMT in ADHD symptom severity and early adverse familial environment as risk factors for co-morbid CD, emphasizing the need for early intervention to prevent aggressive and maladaptive behavior progressing into CD, reducing the overall severity of the disease burden in children with ADHD. |
Total Sample |
166 clinically referred, unrelated children with ADHD aged 6-13 years old |
Diagnosis Description |
ADHD was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria by a standardized, structured child psychiatric interview Diagnostisches Interview bei psychischen Storungen im Kindes-und Jugendalter (Kinder-DIPS; Unnewehr et al. 1995) and a German Hyperkinetic Syndrome diagnosis checklist (DCL-HKS) |
Technique |
DNA was extracted according to the salting out procedure (Miller et al. 1988). The following primers were used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR): 5'-ACT GTG GCT ACT CAG CTG TG-3' (forward) and 5'-CCT TTT TCC AGG TCT GAC AA-3' (reverse). The PCR reactions were done using an ABI GeneAmp 9700 cycler. |
Analysis Method |
Descriptive statistics were calculated by X2-test or analysis of variance as appropriate. Family based association with ADHD was assessed by UNPHASED, version 3.0.13 (Dudbridge 2008). The impact of COMT genotypes on ADHD symptom severity was assessed by linear regression analysis. The impact of COMT genotypes on co morbid lifetime CD was assessed by logistic regression analysis. |
Result Description |
The main finding of the present study is that the Met allele of the COMT Val158Met SNP (rs4680) was associated with ADHD and increased ADHD symptom severity. |

SNPs reported by this study (count: 1)
SNP |
Allele Change |
Risk Allele |
Statistical Values |
Author Comments |
Result of Statistical Analysis |
rs4680 |
G:A |
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TDT P-value=0.034, Z=2.1 for A allele using an additive model |
A allele (Met) was over-transmitted to the children with ADH......
A allele (Met) was over-transmitted to the children with ADHD
More...
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Significant
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Genes reported by this study (count: 1)
Gene |
Statistical Values/Author Comments |
Result of Statistical Analysis |
COMT |
A allele (Met) of rs4680 was significantly over-transmitted ......
A allele (Met) of rs4680 was significantly over-transmitted to the children with ADHD
More...
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Significant
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