COMT Val 158 Met polymorphism is related with interpersonal problem solving in schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism, and interpersonal problem solving capacity and cognitive functions in schizophrenia.

COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism was studied with ARMS-PCR method in 99 outpatients with schizophrenia. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was used to assess symptom severity. The Assessment of Interpersonal Problem Solving Skills (AIPSS) was used to evaluate problem solving capacity. Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), were used to measure cognition.

Patients with Met/Met genotype had higher AIPSS subscores for detecting the problem, than those with Val/Val at baseline (p=0.02). Met allele was also found to be related with higher AIPSS-receiving skills (p=0.04). Val allele was found to be related with more commission errors in CPT (p=0.03). There was no relation between Val(158)Met polymorphism and WCST and clinical measurements.

Our findings suggest that Val allele might be related to poor performance on detecting the interpersonal problems, and attention in schizophrenia.