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Association between hypnotizability and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphism.

Anna Szekely¹, Reka Kovacs-Nagy, Eva I Bányai

¹Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. szekely.anna@ppk.elte.hu

The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

|May 29, 2010

Summary

This study confirms a link between a specific gene variant (COMT Val(158)Met SNP) and hypnotizability. Higher hypnotizability scores were associated with the presence of the Val allele in healthy adults.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Genetics
Psychology

Background:

Dopaminergic systems are implicated in hypnotizability.
The COMT Val(158)Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been previously associated with hypnotizability.
Previous studies suggested heterozygotes (Val/Met) exhibit the highest hypnotizability.

Purpose of the Study:

To replicate the association between the COMT Val(158)Met SNP and hypnotizability in an independent sample.
To investigate the additive effect of the Val allele on hypnotizability.
To explore potential discrepancies with prior research and their implications.

Main Methods:

Recruited 127 healthy Hungarian young adults.
Administered the Waterloo-Stanford Group C Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility.
Genotyped the COMT Val(158)Met SNP (rs4680).

Main Results:

A significant association (p = .016) was found between COMT genotypes and hypnotizability.
An additive effect of the Val allele was observed: Val/Val > Val/Met > Met/Met.
Hypnotizability scores were highest in Val/Val (5.9), intermediate in Val/Met (4.7), and lowest in Met/Met (4.1).

Conclusions:

The association between the COMT Val(158)Met SNP and hypnotizability is replicated.
Findings support an inverted-U-shaped relationship between prefrontal dopamine and cognitive function.
Mediating factors like induction method (group vs. individual) are crucial.