title: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphisms predict treatment response in electroconvulsive therapy.
abstract: Several lines of evidence suggest that catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) may be associated with treatment response in depression. We conducted a study on 119 patients with treatment-refractory depression admitted consecutively for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The COMT high/high genotype leads to a higher enzyme activity and thus lowers dopaminergic activity in the prefrontal cortex. In the present sample, those homozygous to high-active allele of COMT responded significantly more frequently to ECT.
authors: University of Tampere Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. samia@koti.soon.fi
authors: Sami
authors: S
authors: Anttila
authors: Kaija
authors: K
authors: Huuhka
authors: Martti
authors: M
authors: Huuhka
authors: Ari
authors: A
authors: Illi
authors: Riikka
authors: R
authors: Rontu
authors: Esa
authors: E
authors: Leinonen
authors: Terho
authors: T
authors: Lehtimäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase