Brain Network Connectivity and Association with Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism in Korean Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children.

Objective We sought to determine if the links between and within the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAT) exhibited different conditions according to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Methods Fifty-seven children with ADHD and 48 healthy controls (1---ICs) were administered an intelligence test, the Children's Depression Inventory, the Korean AMID rating scale, and continuous performance test. Resting-state brain functional MRI scans were obtained, and COMT genotyping was performed to distinguish valine carriers and methionine homozygotes. Results Compared to controls, children with ADHD showed increased ADI-ID scale scores, increased visual commission - Tors, and increased functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN and DAT Compared to all children with ADEID, children with the methionine homozygote and those who were valine carriers showed increased FC within the DMN and DAT and decreased FC between the DMN and DAT. FC within the DMN was also increased in HC valine carriers compared to HC children with the met hionine homozygote, and in children with AMID who were valine carriers compared to HC valine carriers. Conclusion We observed increased brain connectivity within the DMN and DAT and altered brain connectivity within and between the DMN and DAT associated with COMT polymorphism in children with ADHD.