Lack of influence of COMT Val158Met genotype on cognition in first-episode non-affective psychosis

Schizophr Res. 2008 Jul;102(1-3):206-9. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2008.02.011. Epub 2008 Apr 14.

Abstract

COMT gene is a logical candidate gene for schizophrenia. Moreover, variations in the COMT Val158Met functional polymorphism have been associated with prefrontal cognitive abnormalities among patients with schizophrenia, healthy relatives and controls. In this study, using an epidemiologically-based sample of 130 patients experiencing a first-episode of a non-affective psychosis, we examined whether COMT Val158Met genotype influenced cognitive performance on the phenotypic expression of psychosis. We found no significant differences in any cognitive measure according to COMT genotype. These findings, together with previously published research, put the relationship between COMT genotype and cognitive performance in doubt.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / metabolism
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / genetics*
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Methionine / genetics
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / genetics*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Valine / genetics

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Methionine
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Valine