Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Korean Population.
- Author:
Yang Sook SUNG
1
;
Chul LEE
;
Tae Shik LIM
;
Sang Ick HAN
;
Soo Jung LEE
;
Jung Jin KIM
Author Information
1. Paeksang Psychiatric Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder;
Catechol-O-methyltransferase;
Polymorphism
- MeSH:
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity*;
Case-Control Studies;
Catechol O-Methyltransferase*;
Child;
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
Fathers;
Gene Frequency;
Genotype;
Haplotypes;
Humans;
Male;
Methylphenidate;
Mothers
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2002;41(2):215-222
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is a highly heritable psychiatric condition of early childhood onset characterized by marked inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Genes involved in catecholamine pathways, including catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), represent potential candidates, given that around 70% of children with ADHD show a symptomatic improvement when treated with methylphenidate, a psychostimulant. This study was designed to investigate the association of COMT polymorphism with ADHD in Korean population. METHOD: In this study, we used both family-based (the haplotype relative risk & the haplotype-based haplotype relative risk design) and case-control approaches to examine COMT polymorphism. The sample included 31 Korean children (25 males, 6 females) diagnosed as ADHD by DSM-IV, their 31 families with 31 mothers and 27 fathers and 106 normal controls. RESULTS: There were no differences of COMT genotype and allele frequencies between ADHD patients and control subjects. Also, there was no difference of COMT genotype between ADHD patients and HRR controls. The COMT1 allele frequencies of normal control group in Korean population (75%) was significantly different with that frequency of Caucasian population (50%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that COMT polymorphism is not associated with ADHD in Korean population. However, the possibility of interacting effects of COMT with other genes or environment should be investigated.
