The study of the association between COMT polymorphisms and methylphenidate response in the treat-ment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the impacts of catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms on the outcomes of methylphenidate treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Methods One hundred seventy-seven ADHD children of Chinese Han descent received open-labelled dose titration with methylpheni?date to achieve optimal response in 2~4 weeks. The behavior changes were evaluated by using ADHD diagnostic scale (parent version) before and after treatment. COMT gene rs4680 (Val158Met) and rs165599 were genotyped using fluores?cent real-time PCR. The genotype distribution and treatment outcomes including remission, response and non-response were analyzed. Results The treatment response differed significantly among patients with different genotypes of rs4680 (P0.05). Conclu?sion COMT gene rs4680 (Val158Met) polymorphism is associated with methylphenidate response in a Han Chinese popu?lation. Patients with G allele is more likely to benefit from methylphenidate treatment in comparison with A/A genotype.