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No association between COMT val158met polymorphism and suicidal behavior: meta-analysis and new data
Carlos Tovilla-Zárate1, Isela Juárez-Rojop, Teresa Ramón-Frias
1Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, División Académica Multidisciplinaria de Comalcalco, Comalcalco, Tabasco, México. alfonso_tovillaz@yahoo.com.mx
BMC Psychiatry
|September 23, 2011
Summary
This study investigated the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism and suicidal behavior. The findings indicate no significant association between this genetic variant and suicidal behavior, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism's link to suicidal behavior is debated.
- Previous studies have yielded controversial results regarding this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the COMT val158met polymorphism and suicidal behavior.
- To conduct a meta-analysis combining case-control data and existing literature.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was performed with 105 suicide attempt cases and 236 controls.
- A meta-analysis included 12 published genetic association studies found via Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in allele or genotype distribution were observed in the case-control study.
- The meta-analysis of 12 studies found no association between the COMTval158/met polymorphism and suicidal behavior (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.97-1.23).
Conclusions:
- The COMT val158met polymorphism is not associated with suicidal behavior based on current evidence.
- Further research is required to definitively establish any link between COMT and suicidal behavior.
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