Race moderates the association of Catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype and posttraumatic stress disorder in preschool children.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The present study sought to replicate previous findings of an association between the Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptomatology in a novel age group, preschool children.

Methods

COMT genotype was determined in a sample of 171 3-6-year-old trauma-exposed children. PTSD was assessed with a semistructured interview. Accounting for sex, trauma type, and age, genotype was examined in relation to categorical and continuous measures of PTSD both controlling for race and within the two largest racial categories (African American [AA] and European American [EA]).

Results

Race significantly moderated the association between genotype and PTSD. Specifically, the genotype associated with increa

SUBMITTER: Humphreys KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4202908 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature