title: COMT genotype and response to cognitive remediation in schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A functional polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val158Met) partially appears to influence cognitive performance in schizophrenia subjects and healthy controls by modulating prefrontal dopaminergic activity. This study evaluated the association of the COMT Val108/158 Met genotype with response to computerized neurocognitive remediation (CRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  145 subjects with DSM-IV-TR schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were genotyped via saliva sampling. Subjects were evaluated on neurocognitive assessments (MATRICS) and clinical symptoms (PANSS) at baseline and endpoint after 12weeks of CRT. "Improvement" was defined as ≥67% of cognitive domains (≥4) showing performance increases. If ≤67% (≤2) of domains improved, the change was defined as "minimal improvement." A general linear model was conducted for change of each cognitive domain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 145 subjects, data from 138 subjects were usable. Distribution of COMT genotype: Met/Met: 28 (20.29%), Val/Met: 61 (44.20%), and Val/Val: 49 (35.51%). No significant differences were seen among genotype groups at baseline or across genotype group for "Improvement" vs. "Minimal Improvement." GLM analysis showed significant differences in Verbal Learning (p=0.003), Visual Learning (p=0.014) and Attention/Vigilance (p=0.011) favoring Met/Met and Val/Met groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low activity Met allele (Met/Met; Val/Met) was associated with significantly greater improvements in the MATRICS domains of Verbal Learning, Visual Learning and Attention/Vigilance after CRT.
authors.affiliation: Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, NY, United States; New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States; Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States. Electronic address: Lindenmayer@nki.rfmh.org.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lindenmayer
authors.affiliation: Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, NY, United States; Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States; ProPhase LLC, New York, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Anzalee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lachman
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: McGurk
authors.affiliation: Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, NY, United States; Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldring
authors.affiliation: Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, NY, United States; Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Amod
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thanju
authors.affiliation: New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaushik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012463:Saliva; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase
keywords: COMT genotype; Cognitive remediation; Schizophrenia; Social cognition