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Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism on the relationship between white matter hyperintensity and

Mu-En Liu1, Chu-Chung Huang2, Albert C Yang3

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Plos One
|February 20, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met gene may influence white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volume and its impact on cognition in healthy adults. Met carriers showed larger WMH volumes, suggesting a genetic link.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging and Genetics
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are visible on MRI and may correlate with cognitive impairment.
  • The relationship between regional WMH and the COMT Val158Met polymorphism in healthy adults is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic effect of COMT Val158Met on regional WMH volumes.
  • To examine how COMT genotype and WMH interact to affect cognitive function in healthy adults.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 315 ethnic Chinese adults (mean age 54.9 years).
  • Conducted cognitive tests, structural MRI scans, and COMT genotyping.
  • Analyzed regional WMH volumes and cognitive performance in relation to COMT genotype.

Main Results:

  • A negative correlation was found between Digit Span Forward scores and frontal WMH volumes.
  • COMT genotype groups differed in WMH volumes in subcortical, whole brain, and frontal regions.
  • Met homozygotes and heterozygotes had larger WMH volumes than Val homozygotes; this correlation was specific to Met homozygotes.

Conclusions:

  • COMT genotype may modulate WMH volumes in healthy adults.
  • The COMT Val158Met polymorphism might influence the impact of WMH on cognitive function.

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