The Met allele has been associated with better cognitive performance and no cortical alterations in children.50, 95 In contrast, in adolescent and adult patients, the Met allele has been associated with poorer cognitive abilities,48, 51, 52 reduced cortical volume35, 96 and increased vulnerability for psychiatric symptoms.35, 96, 97 Also, COMT-by-sex interactions have previously been showed in 22q11DS.27, 28, 30 In particular, Kates et al.30 have shown that Met girls and Val boys with 22q11DS have increased volume in the dorsal PFC, but reduced volume in the orbital PFC. The gene discussed is COMT; the disease is 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.