Sarojini M Sengupta1, Natalie Grizenko1, Norbert Schmitz1, George Schwartz1, Leila Ben Amor1, Johanne Bellingham1, Rosherrie DE Guzman1, Anna Polotskaia1, Marina Ter Stepanian1, Geeta Thakur1, Ridha Joober2. 1. Drs. Sengupta, Ben Amor, and Joober are with the Department of Human Genetics, Drs. Grizenko and Joober and Mr. Schwartz are with the Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Joober and Ms. Thakur are with the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University; and Drs. Sengupta, Schmitz, and Joober, Mr. Schwartz, Ms. Bellingham, Ms. de Guzman, Ms. Polotskaia, and Ms. Ter Stepanian are with Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2. Drs. Sengupta, Ben Amor, and Joober are with the Department of Human Genetics, Drs. Grizenko and Joober and Mr. Schwartz are with the Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Joober and Ms. Thakur are with the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University; and Drs. Sengupta, Schmitz, and Joober, Mr. Schwartz, Ms. Bellingham, Ms. de Guzman, Ms. Polotskaia, and Ms. Ter Stepanian are with Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.. Electronic address: ridha.joober@douglas.mcgill.ca.
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 ValMet 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.
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 ADHDchildren 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 ValMet 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.
Authors: Judith S Nijmeijer; Catharina A Hartman; Nanda N J Rommelse; Marieke E Altink; Cathelijne J M Buschgens; Ellen A Fliers; Barbara Franke; Ruud B Minderaa; Johan Ormel; Joseph A Sergeant; Frank C Verhulst; Jan K Buitelaar; Pieter J Hoekstra Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2010-09-24 Impact factor: 8.982
Authors: Patricia A Brennan; Constance Hammen; Patrick Sylvers; William Bor; Jake Najman; Penelope Lind; Grant Montgomery; Alicia K Smith Journal: Biol Psychol Date: 2011-02-26 Impact factor: 3.251
Authors: W Retz; M Rösler; C Kissling; S Wiemann; R Hünnerkopf; A Coogan; J Thome; C Freitag Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2007-11-12 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: Terrie E Moffitt; Louise Arseneault; Sara R Jaffee; Julia Kim-Cohen; Karestan C Koenen; Candice L Odgers; Wendy S Slutske; Essi Viding Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 8.982