Interaction between COMT gene polymorphisms and childhood trauma in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury

ZHAO Meng; FENG Jie; WANG Lu-Yao; ZHOU Bo

doi:10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2407115

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2024, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (12) : 1322-1328. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2407115

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Interaction between COMT gene polymorphisms and childhood trauma in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury

ZHAO Meng, FENG Jie, WANG Lu-Yao, ZHOU Bo

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the interaction between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms and childhood trauma in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and to provide a basis for the prevention and intervention of NSSI among adolescents. Methods A total of 84 adolescents with NSSI and 87 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Oral saliva samples were collected for genotyping of the COMT gene at rs4680 and rs165599. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Behavioral Function Assessment Scale of Non-suicidal Self-injury in Adolescents, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Items were used for mental health assessment. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine the main effect and interactive effect of COMT gene polymorphisms at rs4680 and rs165599 and childhood trauma on NSSI. The Johnson-Neyman technique was used to identify the regions where the moderating variables had a significant impact. Results The interaction between COMT gene polymorphisms at rs165599 and the subtype of emotional neglect in childhood trauma could predict NSSI in adolescents (β=0.251, t=2.329, P=0.022). As for the adolescents carrying the G/G genotype at rs165599, the high emotional neglect group had a significantly higher NSSI score than the low emotional neglect group (F=4.579, P=0.049). Conclusions Adolescents carrying the G/G genotype at rs165599 of the COMT gene may have an increase in susceptibility to NSSI in case of high emotional neglect in childhood.

Key words

Non-suicidal self-injury / COMT gene / Childhood trauma / Gene-environment interaction / Adolescent

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ZHAO Meng, FENG Jie, WANG Lu-Yao, ZHOU Bo. Interaction between COMT gene polymorphisms and childhood trauma in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2024, 26(12): 1322-1328 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2407115

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