title: The catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene and its potential association with schizophrenia: findings from a large German case-control and family-based sample.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany. vanessa.nieratschker@zi.mannheim.de
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nieratschker
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Mühleisen
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strohmaier
authors.forename: Jens R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wendland
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treutlein
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Breuer
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abou Jamra
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattheisen
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herms
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmäl
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Markus M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nöthen
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cichon
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rietschel
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Schulze
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase