Interaction between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and childhood adversity affects reward processing in adulthood

These results identify convergent genetic and environmental effects on reward processing in a prospective study. Moreover, G × E effects during reward delivery suggest that stress during childhood is associated with higher reward sensitivity and reduced efficiency in processing rewarding stimuli in genetically at-risk individuals. Together with previous evidence, these results begin to define a specific system mediating interacting effects of early environmental and genetic risk factors, which may be targeted by early intervention and prevention.