title: Effects of COMT genotype on cognitive ability and functional capacity in individuals with schizophrenia.
abstract: Cognitive and functional impairments are core features of schizophrenia. This study examined the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype and its relationship to cognition and functional capacity in 188 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. We found that in a dose-response fashion, individuals with more Met alleles performed significantly better on tests of learning/memory and abstraction. The effects of COMT genotype on cognition were modest, explaining about 3% of the variance in learning/memory and abstraction. Larger studies will be needed to examine the relationships between COMT and other genes and cognitive performance and everyday functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, United States; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States. Electronic address: etwamley@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Twamley
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica P Y
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States.
authors.forename: Cynthia Z
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States.
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, United States.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chinh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, United States.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bilder
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, United States; Psychiatry Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kelsoe
mesh_terms: D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013850:Thinking
chemical_list: C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase
keywords: Cognition; Executive functioning; Functioning; Genetics; Learning; Memory; Psychosis