1. COMT Val[superscript 108/158] Met Gene Variant, Birth Weight, and Conduct Disorder in Children with ADHD
- Author
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Sengupta, Sarojini M., Grizenko, Natalie, Schmitz, Norbert, Schwartz, George, Amor, Leila Ben, Bellingham, Johanne, de Guzman, Rosherrie, Polotskaia, Anna, Stepanian, Marina Ter, Thakur, Geeta, and Joober, Ridha
- Abstract
Objective: In a recent study, Thapar and colleagues reported that COMT "gene variant and birth weight predict early-onset antisocial behavior in children" with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We have attempted to replicate these findings in a group of ADHD children using a similar research design. Method: Children (n = 191) between 6 and 12 years of age who were diagnosed with ADHD were included in the study. Conduct disorder was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria based on clinical evaluation and a structured interview (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV). The mother's report on the child's birth weight was used in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis, with genotype and birth weight as independent variables and DSM-IV conduct disorder as the dependent variable, was conducted. Results: No significant main effects of genotype and birth weight or interaction effects on conduct disorder were observed. Conclusion: In this sample of children diagnosed with ADHD, we find no association between the COMT Val[superscript 108/158] Met gene variant, birth weight, and conduct disorder. Further investigations are required before using birth weight and COMT genotype as predictors of conduct disorder in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, especially given the societal and legal ramifications of conduct disorder. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)
- Published
- 2006