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The catechol O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with broad-based cognitive functioning in
Faith B Dickerson1, John J Boronow, Cassie Stallings
1Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, MD 21204, USA. fdickerson@sheppardpratt.org
Schizophrenia Research
|July 3, 2007
Summary
The catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism, previously linked to executive function deficits in schizophrenia, showed no association with overall cognitive performance in a study of 364 individuals. This suggests COMT Val158Met does not impact broad cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neurogenetics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is a common genetic variation.
- Previous research suggests a link between this COMT polymorphism and executive functioning deficits in schizophrenia.
- However, its association with other cognitive domains in schizophrenia remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and broad-based cognitive functioning in individuals with schizophrenia.
- To examine whether COMT genotypes correlate with performance on various cognitive tests.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was performed in 364 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS).
- Univariate and multivariate analyses of variance were used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between COMT Val158Met genotypes and RBANS index scores.
- No significant associations were observed between COMT Val158Met genotypes and individual RBANS test scores.
- Statistical analyses (univariate and multivariate) showed no significant correlations (all p > .3).
Conclusions:
- The catechol O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with broad-based cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.
- These findings indicate that this specific genetic variation does not appear to influence overall cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia in our sample.
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