BDNF 196 G/A and COMT Val158Met Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to ADHD: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the brain-derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) 196 G/A or catechol- O-methyltransferase ( COMT) Val158Met polymorphisms is associated with susceptibility to ADHD.

METHOD: We conducted a meta-analysis of the associations between the BDNF 196 G/A and COMT Val158Met polymorphisms and ADHD.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies consisting of 3,594 patients with ADHD and 4,040 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Our results showed no association between ADHD and the BDNF 196A allele in all participants (odds ratio [OR] = 0.958, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.800, 1.146], p = .638), European or Asian population. Meta-analysis indicated no association between ADHD and the COMT G allele in all study participants (OR = 1.078, 95% CI = [0.962, 1.207], p = .196), European or Asian population.

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed a lack of association between the BDNF 196 G/A and COMT Val158Met polymorphisms and ADHD.