The presence of a specific gene mutation and low birth weight appear to increase the risk of early-onset antisocial behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to findings published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.Dr. Anita Thapar and colleagues from Cardiff University, Wales, examined whether a variation in two amino acids associated with the catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene predicts antisocial behavior in a high-risk group of children. The researchers also assessed the influence of birth weight.The researchers conducted a family-based genetic study from 1997 to 2003. Included were 240 children recruited from child and adolescent psychiatric and child health clinics who were diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or hyperkinetic disorder.The subjects underwent comprehensive standardized assessments, which included measures of antisocial behavior and IQ. They also underwent testing for variations in two animo acids -- methionine or valine -- in the COMT gene.The results of indicate that children who had a COMT gene mutation or low birth weight were significantly more likely to have antisocial behavior.
