351 | id == 351
351 | category_id == 20
351 | category_order == 17
351 | category_name == Attention
351 | category_color == #C47AC0
351 | slug == COMT-attention
351 | title == Can This Gene Influence Your Attention Span (COMT)?
351 | meta_description == The COMT gene breaks down neurotransmitters and is associated with attention and ADHD. Learn more here!
351 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The COMT gene encodes a protein that breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Certain variants have been associated with ADHD and reduced attention. Read on to learn where your COMT gene stands!</strong></p>
351 | overall_score_text == Your Attention Score (based on COMT Gene)
351 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/COMT-Attention.jpg
351 | author_id == 12
351 | author_name == Carlos Tello
351 | author_title == PhD
351 | author_order == 55
351 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/CarlosTello.webp
351 | author_intro == <p><strong>Carlos received his PhD and MS from the Universidad de Sevilla.</strong></p>    <p>Carlos spent 9 years in the laboratory investigating mineral transport in plants. He then started working as a freelancer, mainly in science writing, editing, and consulting. Carlos is passionate about learning the mechanisms behind biological processes and communicating science to both academic and non-academic audiences. He strongly believes that scientific literacy is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid falling for scams.</p>
351 | author_social_media_name == linkedin
351 | author_social_media_icon == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/social-icon/linkedin.png
351 | author_social_order == 1
351 | author_social_link == https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-tello-lacal-b946b4a7/
351 | reviewer == None
351 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
351 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
351 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
351 | publish_date == 2020
351 | publish_date == 9
351 | publish_date == 25
351 | avg_rating == 3.0
351 | tags_id == 30
351 | tags_name == ADHD
351 | tags_id == 56
351 | tags_name == Attention
351 | tags_id == 65
351 | tags_name == COMT Gene
351 | tags_id == 51
351 | tags_name == Dopamine
351 | tags_id == 53
351 | tags_name == Epinephrine
351 | tags_id == 54
351 | tags_name == Executive Function
351 | tags_id == 52
351 | tags_name == Norepinephrine
351 | permissions_favorite == False
351 | permissions_rate == False
351 | content_article == <h2><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT breaks down dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, all of which are involved in attention.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants in the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene can reduce attention span and increase the risk and severity of ADHD.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Specific lifestyle and dietary interventions can help reduce the impact of detrimental COMT variants.</span></span></p> <h2><strong><em>COMT </em>and Attention</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="../../../gene/comt/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">(</span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">catechol-o-methyltransferase</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">) gene codes for an enzyme that helps break down the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">catecholamine </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">neurotransmitters </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/dopamine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dopamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/norepinephrine-stress-hormone/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">norepinephrine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and epinephrine. COMT works by transferring a methyl group from </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/s-adenosyl-l-methionine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SAM-e</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">catechol </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">molecule of these neurotransmitters [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8576124/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16878403/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12371153/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dopamine is involved in multiple cognitive processes, including executive function and attention. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are released during the &lsquo;fight-or-flight&rsquo; response and promote arousal and alertness to prepare the brain for stressful situations [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30446950/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1959222/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5772764/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In line with the role of COMT in the breakdown of catecholamines, a variant with low activity has been associated with increased levels of these neurotransmitters and better attention span [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16878403/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17008817/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2693269/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alternatively, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder combining symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity and caused by an impaired transmission of dopamine and norepinephrine [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21550021/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3753078/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As could be expected from its mechanism of action, a </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variant with high activity is associated with ADHD. However, this variant is also associated with more severe symptoms and better response to treatment with Ritalin in children diagnosed with ADHD [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4620316/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10490706/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23715639/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7039663/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Note, however, that the breakdown of catecholamine neurotransmitters by COMT has multiple effects. While low COMT activity benefits attention and other cognitive areas, there are many health aspects for which high activity would be preferable. If you want to learn more about this gene, check out </span></em><a href="../../../report/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">our COMT report</span></em></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span></em><a href="../../search/comt/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">other COMT posts</span></em></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></em></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">COMT reduces the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, three neurotransmitters that increase attention.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your COMT Results for Attention</span></h2> <p>*9460712866097292*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>SNP Summary and Table</strong></h3> <p><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><a href="../../../snp/rs4680/"><strong>rs4680</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28608575/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Worse attention span. Associated with ADHD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Better attention span. Not associated with ADHD</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>*2050916761865275*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Improve Attention</strong></h2> <p>*6811315118447678*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cognitive-behavioral therapy can improve ADHD symptoms in both adults adolescents, especially combined with medication [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26629933"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633586/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18091195"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595859/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24970720"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938293/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155481/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a clinical trial on patients with schizophrenia, carriers of the &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant at rs4680 benefited the most from a cognitive-behavioral intervention (cognitive remediation) in terms of improved attention and learning [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591188/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Different forms of behavioral therapy are a part of standard ADHD care &mdash; consult with a healthcare professional about your options.</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Your <em>COMT </em>variant may determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy at improving attention.</span></p> <h4><strong>Sleep</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Poor </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/sleep-neurophysiology/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sleep</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> quality impairs attention and other cognitive functions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12683469"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15509816/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3238256/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9682180/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several studies found even worse cognitive performance after sleep deprivation in carriers of the &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant at rs4680 [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31553501/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5983551/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5801055/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Different sleep interventions improved cognitive performance and overall well-being in children with ADHD [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30654852"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24957753"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31184382"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22005602"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Sleep deprivation impairs attention and other cognitive functions, especially in carriers of certain COMT variants.</span></p> <h4><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to decent clinical evidence, regular </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/2016/09/21/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> may reduce ADHD symptoms [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768113/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4372555/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3724411/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21432590"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837978"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6352161/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675699/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Children and adolescents on different exercise programs saw improvements in attention, behavior, and cognition [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3724411/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21432590"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20837978"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a clinical trial, carriers of the &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant at rs4680 showed decreased improvement in cognitive function in response to exercise [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20800689/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Regular exercise may reduce the negative impact of your <em>COMT </em>variant on attention.</span></p> <h4><strong>Avoiding Cannabis</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Long-term </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/tetrahydrocannabinol-thc/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cannabis</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> use can cause impaired mental performance, especially in memory and executive function [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15173844"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221171/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two studies associated carrying the &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant at rs4680 with worse cognitive impairment, including in attention span, from smoking cannabis [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31187152/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16936704/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">People with certain <em>COMT </em>variants are at increased risk of worsened mental performance from smoking cannabis.</span></p> <h4><strong>Neurostimulation</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Different nerve stimulation techniques (TENS, TNS) may moderately improve ADHD symptoms such as inattention and hyperactivity. The FDA has approved a nerve stimulation device for ADHD treatment in children [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15537992/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25533244/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-first-medical-device-treatment-adhd#:~:text=The%20prescription%2Donly%20device%2C%20called,marketing%20authorization%20by%20the%20FDA."><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In two clinical trials, a neurostimulation technique that increases dopamine transmission in the brain (transcranial direct current stimulation or </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/tdcs-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tDCS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) worsened executive function only in carriers of the &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant at rs4680, suggesting a detrimental effect of excessive dopamine activity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25496958/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23237479/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Neurostimulation may improve ADHD symptoms, but some <em>COMT </em>variants may reduce its benefits.</span></p>
351 | content_snp_table_2050916761865275_key == 2050916761865275
351 | content_snp_table_2050916761865275_blur == True
351 | content_snp_table_2050916761865275_hidden == False
351 | content_learn_more_9460712866097292_key == 9460712866097292
351 | content_learn_more_9460712866097292_blur == True
351 | content_learn_more_9460712866097292_hidden == False
351 | content_learn_more_9460712866097292_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your COMT gene is associated with somewhat reduced attention span and moderately higher risk and severity of ADHD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, improving sleep quality, doing more exercise, avoiding cannabis, and trying neurostimulation techniques can help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
351 | content_recommendation_6811315118447678_key == 6811315118447678
351 | content_recommendation_6811315118447678_blur == True
351 | content_recommendation_6811315118447678_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs4680
rsStatus = rs4680,COMT,chr22,19963748,G,A,,,19,11,HET
