The COMT Val158Met polymorphism moderates the association between cognitive functions and white matter microstructure
Sara Poletti1, Elena Mazza, Irene Bollettini
1Departments of aClinical Neurosciences bNeuroradiology, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele cC.E.R.M.A.C. (Centro di Eccellenza Risonanza Magnetica ad Alto Campo), University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Psychiatric Genetics
|March 22, 2016
Summary
The COMT ValMet genotype influences the link between cognitive function and white matter integrity in schizophrenia patients. This highlights myelination
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is characterized by impaired cognitive functioning.
- Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are linked to white matter (WM) abnormalities and cortical myelin degeneration.
- The COMT gene is implicated in WM integrity and neuropsychological performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the moderating effect of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on the association between cognitive functions and WM microstructure in schizophrenia.
- To explore the role of WM microstructure and myelination in cognitive performance in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-eight schizophrenia patients underwent cognitive assessments (Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia).
- Sixty-nine patients provided blood samples for COMT Val158Met genotyping.
- White matter integrity was assessed using tract-based spatial statistics with threshold-free cluster enhancement.
Main Results:
- An association between cognitive functions and WM microstructure was found in the COMT Val/Val genotype group, but not in Met carriers.
- Significant WM tracts affected include the corpus callosum, thalamic radiations, corona radiata, and cingulum, among others.
- The COMT Val158Met polymorphism significantly moderated the relationship between cognitive performance and WM microstructure.
Conclusions:
- The COMT Val158Met genotype plays a moderating role in the relationship between cognitive functioning and white matter microstructure in schizophrenia.
- These findings underscore the critical role of myelination in cognitive processes.
- Measures of white matter microstructure are important neurobiological markers for cognitive performance in schizophrenia.
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