Low-activity allele of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMTL) is associated with increased lateral ventricles in patients with first episode non-affective psychosis.
BACKGROUND
Structural brain anomalies are present at early phases of psychosis. The objective was to examine the impact of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene variations on brain morphology in first-episode non-affective psychosis. We hypothesized that the low activity-COMT (COMT(L)) allele would be associated with the presence of structural brain changes as assessed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Fifty-two males and 23 females underwent COMT genotyping and MRI. Patients were categorized into three genetic subgroups: COMT(H/H), COMT(L/H) and COMT(L/L). MRI data were analyzed using BRAINS2. Global and lobar volumes of grey matter (GM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared among the three groups after controlling for total intracranial volume and age of illness onset.


RESULTS
COMT(L) carriers showed a significant enlargement of the lateral ventricles (F = 7.13, p = 0.009), right lateral ventricle (F = 5.99, p = 0.017) and left lateral ventricle (F = 6.22, p = 0.015). No other significant differences in any of the brain structures were found among subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that genetic variations of COMT can contribute to the enlargement of the lateral ventricles described in early phases of non-affective psychosis.
Crespo-Facorro
Benedicto
B
University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain. bcfacorro@humv.es
Roiz-Santiáñez
Roberto
R
Pelayo-Terán
José María
JM
Pérez-Iglesias
Rocío
R
Carrasco-Marín
Eugenio
E
Mata
Ignacio
I
González-Mandly
Andrés
A
Jorge
Ricardo
R
Vázquez-Barquero
José Luis
JL
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
D004247:DNA; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase