Heterosis in COMT Val158Met Polymorphism Contributes to Sex-Differences in Children's Math Anxiety.

ABSTRACT: Math anxiety (MA) is a phobic reaction to math activities, potentially impairing math achievement. Higher frequency of MA in females is explainable by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The molecular-genetic basis of MA has not been investigated. The COMT Val158Met polymorphism, which affects dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, has been associated with anxiety manifestations. The valine allele is associated with lower, and the methionine allele with higher, dopamine availability. In the present study, the effects of sex and COMT Val158Met genotypes on MA were investigated: 389 school children aged 7-12 years were assessed for intelligence, numerical estimation, arithmetic achievement and MA and genotyped for COMT Val158Met polymorphism. Th

SUBMITTER: Julio-Costa A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6530072 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature