title: [No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met polymorphism and alexithymia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reduced concentrations of dopamine in prefrontal brain structures may play a role in alexithymia. Dopamine degradation in the orbitofrontal cortex is regulated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and a functional single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene, Val158Met, has been related to psychiatric illness. This study examines the association between the COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism, and alexithymia.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 healthy students and 120 patients with mental disorders were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism. Additionally, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  COMT genotype did not show a significant correlation with the TAS-20 in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COMT Val158Met polymorphism alone does not seem to be a major factor in alexithymia in healthy students. This is true even if patients with mental disorders covering a broader range of alexithymia are included. Thus, other genes, possibly interacting with cultural, environmental, and developmental factors, may be implicated.
authors: Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Friedrichstraße 28, 35392 Gießen. Sandra.Hermes@psycho.med.uni-giessen.de
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Hermes
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Hennig
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Stingl
authors: Falk
authors: F
authors: Leichsenring
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Leweke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000483:Alleles; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008715:Methionine / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D014633:Valine / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008715:Methionine; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D014633:Valine; D004298:Dopamine