The catechol O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with broad-based cognitive functioning in schizophrenia

Dickerson, Faith B.; Boronow, John J.; Stallings, Cassie; Origoni, Andrea E.; Sullens, Anne; Yolken, Robert H.

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2007.05.021

« Previous Next »Schizophrenia Research
Volume 96, Issue 1 , Pages 87-92, November 2007

The catechol O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with broad-based cognitive functioning in schizophrenia

Faith B. Dickerson
- Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles, St., Baltimore, MD, 21204, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 410 938 4359; fax: +1 410 938 4364.
John J. Boronow
- Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles, St., Baltimore, MD, 21204, USA
Cassie Stallings
- Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles, St., Baltimore, MD, 21204, USA
Andrea E. Origoni
- Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles, St., Baltimore, MD, 21204, USA
Anne Sullens
- Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles, St., Baltimore, MD, 21204, USA
Robert H. Yolken
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, 600 North Wolfe St., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21207, USA

Received 10 March 2007; received in revised form 12 May 2007; accepted 16 May 2007. published online 09 July 2007.

Abstract

Background

A valine/methionine polymorphism of the catechol O-methyltransferase gene at the nucleotide which encodes amino acid val or met at position 158 in the protein (COMT Val158Met polymorphism) has been associated with deficits in executive functioning in schizophrenia in some studies. The association between the COMT polymorphism and other cognitive domains has been the focus of only limited investigation.

Methods

We measured COMT Val158Met genotypes in N=364 individuals with schizophrenia. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). We employed univariate and multivariate analyses of variance to determine the association between COMT genotypes and the RBANS index and individual test scores.

Results

There was no significant association between the COMT Val158Met genotypes and any of the RBANS index or individual test scores measured in either univariate or multivariate analyses (all p>.3).

Conclusion

Based on the results in our sample, the catechol O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with broad-based cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Genetic, COMT, Cognition