Failure to replicate an association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a second, independently recruited Israeli cohort

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental syndrome expressed along three domains: inattention, hyperactive-impulsive, and com bined type, Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to the etiolo gy of this complex disease. We previously reported an association in 48 ADH D triads (both parents and proband) between the catechol-O-methyltransferas e (COMT) polymorphism (especially the high enzyme activity val allele) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) combined category (excluding inattention) of ADHD (however, see erratum, Am. J. Med . Genet, [Neuropsychiatr. Genet.] 96:000). In the current report, we attemp ted to replicate this finding in an independently recruited group of 70 nuc lear families using the haplotype relative risk design. In the current inve stigation, no evidence for association of the COMT polymorphism and ADHD (o r any of the DSM ni subtypes) was observed in either the current cohort or the expanded cohort of 118 Israeli triads. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss Inc.