The catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene and its potential association with schizophrenia: findings from a large German case-control and family-based sample.
The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between schizophrenia and 13 SNP markers in COMT. No association was observed in 631 cases, 207 nuclear families, and 776 controls. A cognitive performance phenotype (Trail Marking Test) was available for a subgroup of the patients. No association was found between the 13 markers and this phenotype. Four clinically-defined subgroups (early age at onset, negative symptoms, family history of schizophrenia, and life-time major depressive episode) were also investigated. Associations were observed for 3 of these subgroups, although none withstood correction for multiple testing. COMT does not appear to be a risk factor for schizophrenia in this population.
Nieratschker
Vanessa
V
Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. vanessa.nieratschker@zi.mannheim.de
Frank
Josef
J
Mühleisen
Thomas W
TW
Strohmaier
Jana
J
Wendland
Jens R
JR
Schumacher
Johannes
J
Treutlein
Jens
J
Breuer
René
R
Abou Jamra
Rami
R
Mattheisen
Manuel
M
Herms
Stefan
S
Schmäl
Christine
C
Maier
Wolfgang
W
Nöthen
Markus M
MM
Cichon
Sven
S
Rietschel
Marcella
M
Schulze
Thomas G
TG
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*
D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase