Impact of catechol-O-methyltransferase Val(108/158) Met genotype on hippocampal and prefrontal gray matter volume

Neuroreport. 2008 Mar 5;19(4):405-8. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e3282f5f784.

Abstract

A variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val(108/158)Met) affects the physiological response of hippocampal-prefrontal circuits, predicts variation in human memory and is associated with increased risk for psychiatric disorders. Using optimized voxel-based morphometry we studied the effect of this functional polymorphism on the anatomy of the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex. Fifty-seven healthy participants were investigated (nine had Met/Met, 30 Val/Met, and 14 Val/Val). Voxel-based morphometry showed that individuals who are homozygous for the Val-COMT allele had greater gray matter volume of the prefrontal cortex bilaterally, whereas Met-COMT carriers were associated with increased tissue volume of the hippocampus bilaterally. This study provides evidence that the Val(108/158)Met polymorphism of the COMT gene might be responsible for individual variation in the human brain morphology.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Brain Mapping
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Dopamine / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / genetics
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genotype
  • Hippocampus / anatomy & histology*
  • Hippocampus / enzymology*
  • Hippocampus / growth & development
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methionine / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / anatomy & histology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / enzymology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / growth & development
  • Valine / genetics

Substances

  • Methionine
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Valine
  • Dopamine