Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene val158met polymorphism and depressive symptoms during early childhood

Authors

Haroon I. Sheikh, Western University
Katie R. Kryski, Western University
Heather J. Smith, Western University
Lea R. Dougherty, University of Maryland, College Park
Daniel N. Klein, Stony Brook University
Sara J. Bufferd, Stony Brook University
Shiva M. Singh, Western University
Elizabeth P. Hayden, Western UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2013

Journal

American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics

Volume

162

Issue

3

First Page

245

Last Page

252

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1002/ajmg.b.32141

Abstract

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) is a critical regulator of catecholamine levels in the brain. A functional polymorphism of the COMT gene, val158met, has been linked to internalizing symptoms (i.e., depression and anxiety) in adolescents and adults. We extended this research by investigating whether the val158met polymorphism was associated with childhood symptoms of depression and anxiety in two independent samples of young children (Ns=476 and 409). In both samples, preschool-aged children were genotyped for the COMT val158met polymorphism. Symptoms of psychopathology were assessed via parent interviews and primary caregiver reports. In both samples, children homozygous for the val allele had higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to children with at least one copy of the met allele. Our findings extend previous research in older participants by showing links between the COMT val158met polymorphism and internalizing symptoms in early childhood. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.