Effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase on normal variation in the cognitive function of children.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Genetic variants that contribute to the risk of psychiatric disorders may also affect normal variation in psychological function. Indeed, the behavioral effects of many genetic variants may be better understood as process-specific rather than disease-specific. A functional valine-to-methionine (Val(158)Met) polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been associated with cognitive function and brain metabolic activity accompanying such tasks. Not all studies are consistent, and less is known about the effect of this polymorphism during development. The authors tested the hypothesis that a more informative COMT haplotype predicts normal cognitive development in a large population-based cohort of children enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Paren

SUBMITTER: Barnett JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2768274 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature