title: COMT and STH polymorphisms interaction on cognition in schizophrenia.
abstract: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, a key regulator of prefrontal cortex (PFC) dopamine (DA) availability, has been extensively studied in relation to cognitive domains, mainly executive functions, that are impaired in schizophrenia, but results are still controversial. Since recent studies in patients affected by neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders suggested a role of saitohin (STH) gene as a concurring factor in hypofrontality, we hypothesize that STH and COMT polymorphisms could have an additive effect on cognition in schizophrenia. Three forty three clinically stabilized patients with schizophrenia were assessed with a broad neuropsychological battery including the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Continuous Performance Test and were genotyped for COMT Val108/158Met and STH Q7R polymorphisms. We observed the effects of COMT on speed of processing and executive functions, as well as a significant effect of STH on executive functions performances. Moreover, a significant interaction between COMT and STH polymorphisms was found on executive functions, with COMT Val/Val and STH R carriers performing worse. Our results showed a significant interaction effect of COMT and STH polymorphisms on cognitive performances, strengthening the involvement of STH in cognitive impairments, especially in the domains commonly impaired in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, bosia.marta@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bosia
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pigoni
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pirovano
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lorenzi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spangaro
authors.forename: Mariachiara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bechi
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cocchi
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guglielmino
authors.forename: Placido
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bramanti
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smeraldi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D056344:Executive Function; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C458340:STH protein, human; D016875:tau Proteins; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase