Related Experiment Videos
Association between catechol-O-methyltransferase and phobic anxiety
Monica McGrath1, Ichiro Kawachi, Alberto Ascherio
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. nhmmc@channing.harvard.edu
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|September 1, 2004
Summary
The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met gene variant is linked to phobic anxiety. Women with COMT Val/Val genotype showed a significantly higher risk of developing phobic anxiety symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Phobic anxiety is a common mental health condition.
- The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is a common genetic variation.
- Previous research has explored genetic influences on anxiety disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and phobic anxiety.
- To determine if specific COMT genotypes correlate with higher phobic anxiety scores.
Main Methods:
- 1,234 women were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism.
- Participants completed the Crown-Crisp Experimental Index phobic anxiety scale.
- Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in mean phobic anxiety scores was observed across the three COMT genotypes.
- Individuals with the COMT Val/Val genotype had an odds ratio of 1.99 for scoring 6 or higher on the phobic anxiety scale compared to the Met/Met genotype.
- A significant gene dosage effect was noted, indicating a dose-dependent relationship between COMT Val alleles and phobic anxiety.
Conclusions:
- The functional COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with phobic anxiety.
- This genetic variation may play a role in the development of phobic anxiety.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association.