title: Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met and the risk of dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The A-allele of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is associated with decreased enzymatic activity and higher dopamine availability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 219 patients with PD who were free of dyskinesias at baseline and underwent thorough annual examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The A-allele of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was related to an increased risk of developing dyskinesias during follow-up, in a dose-dependent manner (adjusted hazard ratios for the AG and AA genotypes [compared to GG]: 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-4.06] and 2.81 [CI, 1.43-5.54], respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding suggests that genetic factors may affect susceptibility to dyskinesias in PD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. l.delau@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Lonneke M L
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Lau
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Verbaan
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marinus
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heutink
authors.forename: Jacobus J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van Hilten
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000235:genetics*; D020820:Dyskinesias / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D014633:Valine / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D008715:Methionine; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D014633:Valine