Effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-catecholamine-O-methyltransferase gene interaction on schizophrenic symptoms

Neuroreport. 2008 Jul 16;19(11):1155-8. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e32830867ad.

Abstract

The methionine variant of Val66Met brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF met and catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT L) is associated with a deficit in attention and aggravation of delusions in schizophrenia. We hypothesized that the BDNF-COMT gene interaction would affect the symptoms and cognition in schizophrenia. Ninety-six schizophrenic patients and 79 control participants were recruited. The patients who were BDNF met/met x COMT L carriers had the highest scores of delusion of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms, word reading of the color word test, and trail-making test B time, compared with the other three genotype interactions. The current results suggest that patients with the BDNF met/met x COMT L allele had more delusional symptoms and poorer cognitive flexibility, compared with the other three genotype interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Delusions / etiology
  • Delusions / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / psychology
  • Genetic Testing / statistics & numerical data
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Schizophrenia / complications
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Word Association Tests / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase