Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation
Published on: January 5, 2014
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
Abstract:
Previous studies implicate involvement of dopaminergic systems in hypnotizability and report association with the COMT Val(158)Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs4680) demonstrating the Val/Met heterozygotes as the most hypnotizable group using the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale. This study replicates that association using an independent sample of 127 healthy Hungarian young adults and the Waterloo-Stanford Group C Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility. Significant association (p = .016) was found between the COMT genotypes and hypnotizability, with a clear additive effect of the Val allele: Hypnotizability scores were highest in Val/Val (5.9), intermediate in Val/Met (4.7), and lowest in Met/Met (4.1). Differences between these results and those of previous studies support recent findings suggesting an inverted-U-shaped relation between dopamine level in the prefrontal cortex and cognitive functioning. The present study replicates association of COMT Val(158)Met SNP and hypnotizability and stresses the importance of mediating factors, such as group vs. individual inductions.
Related Concept Videos
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral bioavailability, and...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
