Enzyme activity and behavior in hyperactive children grown up

Biol Psychiatry. 1988 Aug;24(4):375-83. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(88)90173-4.

Abstract

Thirty-one men, originally seen as children for problems with overactivity, distractibility, and impulsiveness, were reevaluated at ages 21-23 years. Subjects were interviewed and tested and provided a blood sample for analyses of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), monoamine oxidase (MAO), and catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT). A series of Pearson correlations between the biological variables and psychological measures revealed that MAO levels were negatively associated with measures of drug involvement, cigarette use, fire-setting, and sensation seeking; DBH levels were positively associated with measures of sensation-seeking; and COMT levels were negatively associated with a measure of hostility and positively correlated with a measure of impulsiveness.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aggression / physiology
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / enzymology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / blood*
  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / blood*
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / enzymology
  • Male
  • Monoamine Oxidase / blood*
  • Psychological Tests

Substances

  • Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase