Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Participants
2.2. Blood Processing
2.3. Genotyping of COMT Polymorphisms
2.4. Statistical Analyses
3. Results
3.1. Demographic Data
Control Subjects (N = 221) | Subjects with CD (N = 120) | |
---|---|---|
Age | 18 (16; 18) | 17 (16;18) |
Smoking (yes/no) | 44 (67.7%)/21 (32.3%) | 106 (88.3%)/14 (11.7%) * |
Correctional facility (yes/no) | 65 (29.4%)/156 (70.6%) | 120 (100%)/0 (0%) |
Delinquency adjudications (yes/no) | 25 (38.5%)/40 (61.5%) | 62 (51.7%)/58 (48.3%) |
PCL-YV total scores | 11 (7; 15) | 27 (19; 32) * |
MOAS total scores | 13 (5; 20) | 33 (21; 44) * |
3.2. The Significant Associations Between Aggressive Behavior and COMT rs4680 and rs4818 Genotypes
3.2.1. PCL-YV Scale Scores and COMT rs4680 and rs4818 Genotypes
3.2.2. The MOAS Scores and COMT rs4680 and rs4818 Genotypes
3.2.3. The Lack of Association of COMT rs4680 and rs4818 Genotypes and Their Haplotypes with CD, Living in the Correctional Facility, Delinquent Behavior, or Smoking
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
ADHD | attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
CD | conduct disorder |
COMT | catechol-O-methyl transferase |
CU | callous–unemotional trait |
MOAS | Modified Overt Aggression Scale |
PFC | prefrontal cortex |
PCL-IV | Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version |
SNAP-IV | Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire |
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PCL-YV Scores | Group | Codominant Model COMT rs4680 | Statistics | Dominant Model COMT rs4680 | Statistics | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AA | GA | GG | A | GG | ||||
Total scores | CD | 28 (19; 34) | 27 (21; 32) | 23 (17; 30) | H = 4.40; p = 0.111 | 27 (20; 32) | 23 (17; 30) | U = 1119.0; p = 0.046 |
Control | 10 (7; 15) | 12 (9; 16) | 10 (8; 15) | H = 1.57; p = 0.457 | 11 (7; 15) | 10 (8; 15) | U = 312.0; p = 0.669 | |
F1 domain scores | CD | 6 (4; 8) | 6 (4; 8) | 5 (3; 6) | H = 5.19; p = 0.075 | 6 (4; 8) | 5 (3; 6) | U = 1074.0; p = 0.023 |
Control | 1 (0; 2) | 2 (1; 4) | 1 (0; 3) | H = 4.21; p = 0.122 | 2 (1; 3) | 1 (0; 3) | U = 292.5; p = 0.447 | |
F2 domain scores | CD | 8 (6; 10) | 8 (6; 9) | 6 (4; 9) | H = 3.88; p = 0.144 | 8 (6; 10) | 6 (4; 9) | U = 1142.0; p = 0.059 |
Control | 4 (2; 5) | 3 (2; 5) | 3 (2; 4) | H = 0.55; p = 0.760 | 4 (2; 5) | 3 (2; 4) | U = 293.5; p = 0.461 | |
F3 domain scores | CD | 7 (4; 9) | 6 (5; 8) | 5 (3; 7) | H = 3.93; p = 0.140 | 7 (4; 8) | 5 (3; 7) | U = 1132.5; p = 0.053 |
Control | 2 (0; 4) | 2 (2; 5) | 3 (2; 5) | H = 0.27; p = 0.874 | 2 (1; 4) | 3 (2; 5) | U = 321.0; p = 0.777 | |
F4 domain scores | CD | 8 (6; 10) | 7 (5; 9) | 7 (6; 8) | H = 5.42; p = 0.066 | 7 (5; 9) | 7 (6; 8) | U = 1068.0; p = 0.022 |
Control | 3 (1; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | H = 0.61; p = 0.739 | 3 (2; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | U = 337.5; p = 0.993 |
PCL-YV Scores | Group | Codominant Model COMT rs4818 | Statistics | Dominant Model COMT rs4818 | Statistics | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CC | CG | GG | G | CC | ||||
Total scores | CD | 24 (18; 28) | 26 (19; 32) | 25 (18; 30) | H = 1.23; p = 0.539 | 26 (19; 32) | 24 (18; 28) | U = 907.5; p = 0.507 |
Control | 10 (7; 15) | 12 (11; 15) | 10 (7; 13) | H = 2.99; p = 0.224 | 12 (10; 15) | 10 (7; 15) | U = 274.0; p = 0.185 | |
F1 domain scores | CD | 5 (4; 7) | 5 (4; 7) | 5 (3; 8) | H = 0.07; p = 0.967 | 5 (4; 7) | 5 (4; 7) | U = 959.0; p = 0.802 |
Control | 1 (0; 2) | 3 (1; 5) | 0 (0; 2) | H = 11.23; p = 0.004 | 2 (1; 3) | 1 (0; 2) | U = 217.5; p = 0.017 | |
F2 domain scores | CD | 6 (5; 8) | 8 (4; 10) | 6 (5; 9) | H = 2.42; p = 0.298 | 7 (5; 10) | 6 (5; 8) | U = 851.5; p = 0.262 |
Control | 4 (2; 5) | 3 (2; 5) | 3 (3; 4) | H = 0.15; p = 0.927 | 3 (2; 4) | 4 (2; 5) | U = 326.5; p = 0.697 | |
F3 domain scores | CD | 6 (4; 7) | 7 (4; 9) | 4 (4; 6) | H = 4.31; p = 0.116 | 6 (4; 8) | 6 (4; 7) | U = 964.5; p = 0.836 |
Control | 3 (1; 6) | 3 (2; 4) | 2 (1; 4) | H = 0.36; p = 0.836 | 2 (2; 4) | 3 (1; 6) | U = 327.5; p = 0.709 | |
F4 domain scores | CD | 6 (5; 8) | 7 (5; 8) | 8 (6; 8) | H = 0.55; p = 0.758 | 7 (5; 8) | 6 (5; 8) | U = 912.5; p = 0.529 |
Control | 3 (1; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | 4 (2; 5) | H = 1.69; p = 0.429 | 3 (2; 5) | 3 (1; 4) | U = 277.5; p = 0.200 |
MOAS Scores | Group | Codominant Model COMT rs4680 | Statistics | Dominant Model COMT rs4680 | Statistics | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AA | GA | GG | A | GG | ||||
Total scores | CD | 32 (22; 48) | 35 (25; 47) | 25 (14; 37) | H = 5.42; p = 0.066 | 33 (24; 48) | 25 (14; 37) | U = 1068.0; p = 0.022 |
Control | 9 (5; 18) | 12 (4; 22) | 18 (10; 23) | H = 1.69; p = 0.429 | 12 (5; 20) | 18 (10; 23) | U = 273.0; p = 0.286 | |
Aggression (total) scores | CD | 26 (15; 37) | 27 (20; 40) | 21 (8; 31) | H = 3.91; p = 0.141 | 27 (17; 40) | 21 (8; 31) | U = 1129.0; p = 0.052 |
Control | 5 (2; 11) | 9 (1; 17) | 12 (6; 17) | H = 0.92; p = 0.632 | 8 (1; 12) | 12 (6; 17) | U = 284.0; p = 0.374 | |
Verbal aggression scores | CD | 9 (6; 15) | 10 (6; 10) | 6 (3; 10) | H = 5.30; p = 0.071 | 10 (6; 10) | 6 (3; 10) | U = 1078.5; p = 0.023 |
Control | 3 (1; 6) | 3 (1; 7) | 6 (1; 7) | H = 1.24; p = 0.538 | 3 (1; 7) | 6 (1; 7) | U = 282.5; p = 0.356 | |
Physical aggression scores toward objects | CD | 6 (2; 10) | 4 (2; 12) | 2 (2; 6) | H = 4.14; p = 0.126 | 6 (2; 12) | 2 (2; 6) | U = 1180.5; p = 0.095 |
Control | 2 (0; 4) | 2 (0; 2) | 2 (0; 2) | H = 0.75; p = 0.688 | 2 (0; 3) | 2 (0; 2) | U = 295.0; p = 0.452 | |
Auto- aggression scores | CD | 0 (0; 6) | 0 (0; 6) | 0 (0; 6) | H = 0.18; p = 0.916 | 0 (0; 6) | 0 (0; 6) | U = 1418.5; p = 0.864 |
Control | 0 (0; 0) | 0 (0; 0) | 0 (0; 0) | H = 0.66; p = 0.719 | 0 (0; 0) | 0 (0; 0) | U = 313.5; p = 0.552 | |
Physical aggression scores toward others | CD | 9 (3; 9) | 9 (3; 11) | 6 (3; 9) | H = 5.59; p = 0.061 | 9 (3; 9) | 6 (3; 9) | U = 1109.5; p = 0.032 |
Control | 0 (0; 3) | 2 (0; 3) | 3 (3; 3) | H = 3.44; p = 0.179 | 2 (0; 3) | 3 (3; 3) | U = 236.0; p = 0.074 | |
Irritability (total) scores | CD | 6 (5; 8) | 7 (6; 8) | 5 (4; 6) | H = 11.44; p = 0.003 | 6 (5; 8) | 5 (4; 6) | U = 891.5; p = 0.001 |
Control | 4 (2; 5) | 4 (2; 6) | 4 (3; 6) | H = 1.12; p = 0.571 | 4 (2; 6) | 4 (3; 6) | U = 301.0; p = 0.540 | |
Subjective irritability scores | CD | 3 (3; 4) | 3 (3; 4) | 3 (2; 3) | H = 9.26; p = 0.010 | 3 (3; 4) | 3 (2; 3) | U = 970.0; p = 0.003 |
Control | 2 (1; 3) | 2 (1; 3) | 3 (3; 3) | H = 2.11; p = 0.348 | 2 (1; 3) | 3 (3; 3) | U = 265.0; p = 0.215 | |
Open irritability scores | CD | 3 (2; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | 2 (2; 3) | H = 6.91; p = 0.032 | 3 (2; 4) | 2 (2; 3) | U = 1026.5; p = 0.009 |
Control | 1 (1; 2) | 1 (1; 2) | 1 (1; 3) | H = 1.01; p = 0.603 | 1 (1; 2) | 1 (1; 3) | U = 321.5; p = 0.774 | |
Suicidality (total) scores | CD | 1 (0; 2) | 1 (0; 1) | 1 (0; 1) | H = 2.09; p = 0.352 | 1 (0; 2) | 1 (0; 1) | U = 1351.0; p = 0.490 |
Control | 0 (0; 1) | 1 (0; 1) | 0 (0; 1) | H = 1.80; p = 0.407 | 1 (0; 1) | 0 (0; 1) | U = 279.5; p = 0.291 |
MOAS Scores | Group | Codominant Model COMT rs4818 | Statistics | Dominant Model COMT rs4818 | Statistics | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CC | CG | GG | G | CC | ||||
Total scores | CD | 33 (19; 42) | 32 (22; 46) | 21 (13; 37) | H = 3.55; p = 0.169 | 32 (19; 39) | 33 (19; 42) | U = 912.0; p = 0.531 |
Control | 14 (4; 20) | 12 (6; 20) | 21 (18; 25) | H = 2.34; p = 0.311 | 16 (6; 23) | 14 (4; 20) | U = 310.5; p = 0.502 | |
Aggression (total) scores | CD | 27 (14; 35) | 24 (16; 34) | 16 (8; 30) | H = 2.50; p = 0.286 | 23 (14; 32) | 27 (14; 35) | U = 909.5; p = 0.518 |
Control | 9 (1; 15) | 9 (4; 12) | 12 (11; 15) | H = 1.45; p = 0.484 | 9 (4; 12) | 9 (1; 15) | U = 312.0; p = 0.518 | |
Verbal aggression scores | CD | 10 (6; 10) | 7 (5; 10) | 5 (3; 10) | H = 4.91; p = 0.086 | 7 (5; 10) | 10 (6; 10) | U = 838.0; p = 0.215 |
Control | 4 (1; 6) | 3 (1; 7) | 7 (6; 7) | H = 2.96; p = 0.227 | 4 (1; 7) | 4 (1; 6) | U = 302.5; p = 0.410 | |
Physical aggression scores toward objects | CD | 6 (2; 10) | 4 (2; 8) | 2 (2; 6) | H = 1.26; p = 0.532 | 3 (2; 8) | 6 (2; 10) | U = 868.0; p = 0.319 |
Control | 0 (0; 3) | 2 (0;2) | 2 (1; 2) | H = 1.58; p = 0.454 | 2 (0; 2) | 0 (0; 3) | U = 285.5; p = 0.235 | |
Auto- aggression scores | CD | 0 (0; 8) | 3 (0; 6) | 0 (0; 6) | H = 1.57; p = 0.457 | 0 (0; 6) | 0 (0; 8) | U = 924.5; p = 0.750 |
Control | 0 (0; 0) | 0 (0; 0) | 0 (0; 3) | H = 0.05; p = 0.975 | 0 (0; 0) | 0 (0; 0) | U = 347.5; p = 0.990 | |
Physical aggression scores toward others | CD | 9 (3; 9) | 9 (3; 9) | 3 (3; 9) | H = 1.05; p = 0.592 | 8 (3; 9) | 9 (3; 9) | U = 970.5; p = 0.870 |
Control | 3 (0; 3) | 3 (0; 3) | 3 (3; 3) | H = 1.20; p = 0.548 | 3 (0; 3) | 3 (0; 3) | U = 322.5; p = 0.627 | |
Irritability (total) scores | CD | 6 (5; 7) | 7 (5; 8) | 5 (4; 6) | H = 5.95; p = 0.051 | 6 (5; 7) | 6 (5; 7) | U = 983.5; p = 0.958 |
Control | 4 (2; 6) | 4 (2; 6) | 6 (5; 6) | H = 2.56; p = 0.278 | 4 (2; 6) | 4 (2; 6) | U = 320.5; p = 0.620 | |
Subjective irritability scores | CD | 3 (3; 4) | 3 (3; 4) | 3 (2; 3) | H = 7.87; p = 0.020 | 3 (3; 4) | 3 (3; 4) | U = 889.5; p = 0.395 |
Control | 3 (1; 3) | 2 (1; 3) | 3 (3; 4) | H = 2.42; p = 0.298 | 3 (1; 3) | 3 (1; 3) | U = 335.0; p = 0.810 | |
Open irritability scores | CD | 3 (2; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | 3 (2; 3) | H = 2.59; p = 0.274 | 3 (2; 4) | 3 (2; 4) | U = 886.0; p = 0.387 |
Control | 1 (1; 3) | 1 (1; 3) | 3 (2; 3) | H = 1.65; p = 0.438 | 1 (1; 3) | 1 (1; 3) | U = 308.0; p = 0.448 | |
Suicidality (total) scores | CD | 1 (0; 1) | 1 (0; 2) | 1 (0; 1) | H = 0.86; p = 0.650 | 1 (0; 2) | 1 (0; 1) | U = 986.0; p = 0.973 |
Control | 1 (0; 1) | 0 (0; 1) | 1 (0; 7) | H = 0.44; p = 0.802 | 0 (0; 1) | 1 (0; 1) | U = 321.0; p = 0.600 |
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Tudor, L.; Podobnik, J.; Nedic Erjavec, G.; Nikolac Perkovic, M.; Harro, J.; Kanarik, M.; Marcinko, D.; Svob Strac, D.; Cusek, M.; Kovac, V.; et al. Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility. Biomolecules 2025, 15, 554. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040554
Tudor L, Podobnik J, Nedic Erjavec G, Nikolac Perkovic M, Harro J, Kanarik M, Marcinko D, Svob Strac D, Cusek M, Kovac V, et al. Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility. Biomolecules. 2025; 15(4):554. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040554
Chicago/Turabian StyleTudor, Lucija, Josip Podobnik, Gordana Nedic Erjavec, Matea Nikolac Perkovic, Jaanus Harro, Margus Kanarik, Darko Marcinko, Dubravka Svob Strac, Melita Cusek, Vlatka Kovac, and et al. 2025. "Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility" Biomolecules 15, no. 4: 554. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040554
APA StyleTudor, L., Podobnik, J., Nedic Erjavec, G., Nikolac Perkovic, M., Harro, J., Kanarik, M., Marcinko, D., Svob Strac, D., Cusek, M., Kovac, V., & Pivac, N. (2025). Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility. Biomolecules, 15(4), 554. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15040554