Association of Lower COMT Activity Alleles with Aggressive Traits in Male Youth with Conduct Disorder Living in a Correctional Facility

Aggression constitutes a significant behavioral issue associated with delinquent behavior, commonly observed in youth diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) and living in correctional facilities. Catechol-o-methyl-transferase <i>(COMT)</i> gene variants modify the environmental sensitivity associated with the risk of aggression. This study evaluated the association of <i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms with aggressive behavior in 341 male adolescents living inside and outside a correctional facility, with or without a diagnosis of CD. Aggression was assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL-YV), Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire. <i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. A similar prevalence of the <i>COMT</i> genotypes or haplotypes was found between adolescents with or without CD, suicidal behavior, or detention in correctional facility. In youth with CD, the <i>COMT</i> rs4680 A allele was associated with higher MOAS verbal aggression, aggression toward objects, irritability (subjective and open), and PCL-YV interpersonal domain scores compared with carriers of the <i>COMT</i> rs4680 G allele. <i>COMT</i> rs4818 GC carriers with CD had higher scores on the MOAS subjective irritability than GG heterozygotes. These novel findings revealed the association of lower <i>COMT</i> rs4680 and rs4818 activity alleles with aggression in detained male adolescents with CD.