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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

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Methylation polymorphism influences practice effects in children during attention tasks.

Pascale Voelker¹, Brad E Sheese², Mary K Rothbart¹

¹a Psychology , University of Oregon , Eugene , USA.

Cognitive Neuroscience

|April 7, 2016

Summary

Methylation, influenced by methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene alleles, impacts attention task performance. Specific MTHFR gene variants interact with other genes to affect reaction time and conflict resolution in children.

Keywords:

Attention network test COMT Conflict DBH Epigenetic MTHFR

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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Genetics
Epigenetics

Background:

Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, regulate gene expression in response to experience.
The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene plays a crucial role in methylation processes by influencing methyl donor availability.
Understanding genetic influences on attention is vital for cognitive research.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the influence of MTHFR gene alleles on behavioral performance in an attention-related task.
To examine the interaction between MTHFR gene variants and other attention-related genes, such as catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH).
To explore the relationship between methylation, executive function, and learning on the Attention Network Test (ANT).

Main Methods:

Genotyping of MTHFR, COMT, and DBH genes in seven-year-old children.
Administration of the Attention Network Test (ANT) to assess reaction time (RT) and conflict resolution.
Statistical analysis to identify interactions between MTHFR alleles and performance on the ANT, considering practice effects.

Main Results:

Children homozygous for the MTHFR C allele, in conjunction with COMT gene variants, demonstrated enhanced improvement in overall RT and conflict resolution with practice on the ANT.
MTHFR T allele carriers exhibited faster overall RT and conflict resolution.
DBH gene alleles were associated with a performance decline after initial improvement on the ANT RT, suggesting a dissociation in learning and sustained practice effects.

Conclusions:

Methylation, influenced by MTHFR gene activity, may modulate the operation of genes involved in executive networks.
Genetic variations in MTHFR and COMT interact to influence cognitive performance and learning on attention tasks.
The study reveals a genetic dissociation between skill acquisition and performance decline during extended practice, highlighting the roles of MTHFR and DBH genes.