Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility

Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility

Aggression constitutes a significant behavioral issue associated with delinquent behavior, commonly observed in youth diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) and living in correctional facilities. Catechol-o-methyl-transferase <i>(COMT)</i> gene variants modify the environmental sensitivity...

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Main Authors: Lucija Tudor, Josip Podobnik, Gordana Nedic Erjavec, Matea Nikolac Perkovic, Jaanus Harro, Margus Kanarik, Darko Marcinko, Dubravka Svob Strac, Melita Cusek, Vlatka Kovac, Nela Pivac
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Biomolecules
Subjects:
aggression
association
conduct disorder
correctional facility
<i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms
genetic variants
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/554
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Summary:Aggression constitutes a significant behavioral issue associated with delinquent behavior, commonly observed in youth diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) and living in correctional facilities. Catechol-o-methyl-transferase <i>(COMT)</i> gene variants modify the environmental sensitivity associated with the risk of aggression. This study evaluated the association of <i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms with aggressive behavior in 341 male adolescents living inside and outside a correctional facility, with or without a diagnosis of CD. Aggression was assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL-YV), Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire. <i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. A similar prevalence of the <i>COMT</i> genotypes or haplotypes was found between adolescents with or without CD, suicidal behavior, or detention in correctional facility. In youth with CD, the <i>COMT</i> rs4680 A allele was associated with higher MOAS verbal aggression, aggression toward objects, irritability (subjective and open), and PCL-YV interpersonal domain scores compared with carriers of the <i>COMT</i> rs4680 G allele. <i>COMT</i> rs4818 GC carriers with CD had higher scores on the MOAS subjective irritability than GG heterozygotes. These novel findings revealed the association of lower <i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 activity alleles with aggression in detained male adolescents with CD.
ISSN:2218-273X

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