Association study of a functional catechol-O-methyltransferase genetic polymorphism with age of onset, cognitive function, symptomatology and prognosis in chronic schizophrenia.
The gene coding for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which is involved in the metabolism of catecholamines, has long been implicated as a candidate gene for schizophrenia. This study aimed to assess the relationship between a functional polymorphism (Val158Met) of the COMT gene and age of onset (AOO), symptomatology, global cognitive function and prognosis in patients with schizophrenia. The study enrolled 154 patients with schizophrenia from chronic wards. Results failed to show a significant association between the Val158Met polymorphism and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores, Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale scores, but COMT Val158Met heterozygotes had a later AOO than homozygous patients. However, by further expanding the number of patients to 228 patients, the differences in AOO among the three COMT genotypic groups was not significant. The COMT Val158Met polymorphism did not appear to significantly affect susceptibility, symptomatology, global cognitive function and prognosis in Chinese patients with schizophrenia, but the possible association with AOO merits further investigation.
Tsai
Shih-Jen
SJ
Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. sjtsai@vghtpe.gov.tw
Hong
Chen-Jee
CJ
Liao
Ding-Lieh
DL
Lai
I-Ching
IC
Liou
Ying-Jay
YJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014633:Valine / Q000235:genetics
D008715:Methionine; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D014633:Valine