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Bellia F, Vismara M, Annunzi E, Cifani C, Benatti B, Dell'Osso B, D'Addario C. Genetic and epigenetic architecture of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: In search of possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 137:554-571. [PMID: 33213890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a prevalent and severe clinical condition whose hallmarks are excessive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The onset of symptoms generally occurs during pre-adult life and typically affects subjects in different aspects of their life's, compromising social and professional relationships. Although robust evidence suggests a genetic component in the etiopathogenesis of OCD, the causes of the disorder are still not completely understood. It is thus of relevance to take into account how genes interact with environmental risk factors, thought to be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. We here provide an overview of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of OCD, focusing on the modulation of key central nervous system genes, in the attempt to suggest possible disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Bellia
- Faculty of Bioscience, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Matteo Vismara
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Eugenia Annunzi
- Faculty of Bioscience, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Gabriele D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Beatrice Benatti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milano, Italy; CRC "Aldo Ravelli", University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milano, Italy; CRC "Aldo Ravelli", University of Milan, Milano, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, CA, USA.
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Faculty of Bioscience, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Hosák L. Role of the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism in mental disorders: A review. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 22:276-81. [PMID: 17419009 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2007.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2007] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene is functional, easily detectable, and significantly related to metabolism of catecholamines, which underlie pathogenesis of a significant number of mental disorders. Evidence for the role of this polymorphism in schizophrenia, substance dependence, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is summed up in this review article. The results make it unlikely that the COMT gene plays an important role in these mental disorders, although a minor effect can not be excluded. Future studies on the COMT gene in mentally ill subjects should be stratified by clinical subtypes of the disorder, gender and ethnicity. Studies of endophenotypes instead of the complex disorder seem to be another promising research strategy. Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions should also be considered. The COMT gene is probably not “a gene for” any mental disorder, but the Val158Met polymorphism appears to have pleiotropic effects on human behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladislav Hosák
- Department of Psychiatry, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
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Kumar P, Rai V. Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene Val158Met polymorphism and obsessive compulsive disorder susceptibility: a meta-analysis. Metab Brain Dis 2020; 35:241-251. [PMID: 31879835 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00495-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1-3% of the general population. It is characterized by disabling obsessions (intrusive unwanted thoughts) and/or compulsions (ritualized repetitive behaviors). Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme has an important role in inactivation of dopamine and higher dopamine levels may be implicated in OCD, hence COMT gene is a suitable candidate for OCD. Several case-control studies have evaluated the role of COMT Val 158Met (rs4680;472G- > A) polymorphism as a risk factor for OCD but the results remained inconclusive, hence present meta-analysis was designed to find out correct assessment. All studies that investigated the association of COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism with OCD risk, were considered in the present meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with the software program MetaAnalyst. In the current meta-analysis, 14 case-control studies with 1435 OCD cases and 2753 healthy controls were included. The results indicated significant association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD risk using allele contrast, homozygote and dominant models (ORA vs G = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.02-1.27; p = 0.01; ORAAvs.GG = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.09-1.62, p = 0.004; ORAA + AGvs.GG = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.0-1.32; p = 0.04). In subgroup analysis based on case gender, meta-analysis of male cases showed significant association using all five genetic models (ORAAvsGG = 1.99; 95%CI = 1.42-2.59; p = <0.001; ORAA + AGvs.GG = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.20-2.10; p = 0.001), but did not show any association between COMT Val 158Met polymorphism and OCD risk in females. In conclusion, results of present meta-analysis supports that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is a risk factor for OCD especially for males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar
- VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Jaunpur, UP, India
| | - Vandana Rai
- VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Jaunpur, UP, India.
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Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphisms in Specific Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Patients’ Subgroups. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:129-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0697-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Umehara H, Numata S, Tajima A, Kinoshita M, Nakaaki S, Imoto I, Sumitani S, Ohmori T. No association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and the long-term clinical response in obsessive-compulsive disorder in the Japanese population. Hum Psychopharmacol 2015; 30:372-6. [PMID: 26010653 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that participates in the metabolic inactivation of dopamine and norepinephrine, and the Met allele of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with lower enzymatic activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this functional variant is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the clinical responses in OCD. METHODS We first performed a case-control association study between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD (171 cases and 944 controls). Then, we examined the association between this polymorphism and the clinical responses in 91 of the OCD patients. RESULTS Our study did not find a significant association between the Met allele and OCD risk or between the Met allele and clinical responses (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The present case-control/pharmacogenetic study did not provide clear evidence that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is a predictor of OCD or of OCD patients' clinical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidehiro Umehara
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shusuke Numata
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tajima
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan.,Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Makoto Kinoshita
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shutaro Nakaaki
- Laboratory of Aging, Behavior and Cognition, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Issei Imoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Satsuki Sumitani
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Ohmori
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan
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Cengiz M, Okutan SN, Bayoglu B, Sakalli Kani A, Bayar R, Kocabasoglu N. Genetic Polymorphism of the Serotonin Transporter Gene, SLC6A4 rs16965628, Is Associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2015; 19:228-34. [DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2014.0319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mujgan Cengiz
- Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Saide Nur Okutan
- Department of Science, Institute of Forensic Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Bayoglu
- Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayse Sakalli Kani
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Reha Bayar
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nese Kocabasoglu
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Association of the catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met polymorphism and anxiety-related traits: a meta-analysis. Psychiatr Genet 2014; 24:52-69. [PMID: 24300663 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were (i) to examine genotypic association of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism with anxiety-related traits with a meta-analysis; (ii) to examine sex and ethnicity as moderators of the association; and (iii) to evaluate whether the association differed by particular anxiety traits. METHODS Association studies of the COMT val158met polymorphism and anxiety traits were identified from the PubMed or PsycInfo databases, conference abstracts, and listserv postings. Exclusion criteria were (a) pediatric samples, (b) exclusively clinical samples, and (c) samples selected for a nonanxiety phenotype. Standardized mean differences in anxiety between genotypes were aggregated to produce mean effect sizes across all available samples, and for subgroups stratified by sex and ethnicity (Whites vs. Asians). Construct-specific analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of COMT with neuroticism, harm avoidance, and behavioral inhibition. RESULTS Twenty-seven eligible studies (N=15 979) with available data were identified. Overall findings indicate sex-specific and ethnic-specific effects: valine homozygotes had higher neuroticism than methionine homozygotes in studies of White males [mean effect size(Equation is included in full-text article.)=0.13; 95% CI 0.02, 0.25; P=0.03], and higher harm avoidance in studies of Asian males ((Equation is included in full-text article.)=0.43; 95% CI 0.14, 0.72; P=0.004). No significant associations were found in women and effect sizes were diminished when studies were aggregated across ethnicity or anxiety traits. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis provides evidence for sex and ethnic differences in the association of the COMT val158met polymorphism with anxiety traits. Our findings contribute to current knowledge on the relation between prefrontal dopaminergic transmission and anxiety.
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Mehaney DA, Darwish HA, Hegazy RA, Nooh MM, Tawdy AM, Gawdat HI, El-Sawalhi MM. Analysis of oxidative stress status, catalase and catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms in Egyptian vitiligo patients. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99286. [PMID: 24915010 PMCID: PMC4051781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitiligo is the most common depigmentation disorder of the skin. Oxidative stress is implicated as one of the probable events involved in vitiligo pathogenesis possibly contributing to melanocyte destruction. Evidence indicates that certain genes including those involved in oxidative stress and melanin synthesis are crucial for development of vitiligo. This study evaluates the oxidative stress status, the role of catalase (CAT) and catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms in the etiology of generalized vitiligo in Egyptians. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as CAT exon 9 T/C and COMT 158 G/A polymorphisms were determined in 89 patients and 90 age and sex-matched controls. Our results showed significantly lower TAC along with higher MDA levels in vitiligo patients compared with controls. Meanwhile, genotype and allele distributions of CAT and COMT polymorphisms in cases were not significantly different from those of controls. Moreover, we found no association between both polymorphisms and vitiligo susceptibility. In conclusion, the enhanced oxidative stress with the lack of association between CAT and COMT polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo in our patients suggest that mutations in other genes related to the oxidative pathway might contribute to the etiology of generalized vitiligo in Egyptian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina A. Mehaney
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Rehab A. Hegazy
- Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed M. Nooh
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
- * E-mail:
| | - Amira M. Tawdy
- Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heba I. Gawdat
- Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maha M. El-Sawalhi
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Koo MS, Kim EJ, Roh D, Kim CH. Role of dopamine in the pathophysiology and treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 10:275-90. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.09.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
The genetic study of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has made significant gains in the past decade. However, etiological gene findings are still elusive. Epidemiological studies, including family and twin studies, strongly support a genetic component for OCD. In addition, complex segregation analyses suggest the presence of at least one major gene. The neurobiology of OCD also lends support to the notion that programmed CNS-based biological processes underlie OCD symptom expression, with mapping of brain circuits to fronto-subcortical circuits in a consistent manner. Genetic linkage studies of OCD, using families with multiple affected relatives, have generated several suggestive linkage peaks, regions that may harbor a gene or genes for OCD. However, the presence of multiple linkage peaks has added to the complexity of OCD genetics, suggesting that the exploration of gene-gene interactions and gene-environment interactions, in addition to the exploration of alternate phenotypes based on symptom expression, age at onset or comorbid conditions, may be key in locating etiologic genes. Finally, candidate gene studies, while promising, are not yet associated with linkage regions, except in the case of the glutamate transporter gene SLC1A1 in 9p24. While OCD appears to have a genetic component, additional innovative research is needed to unravel the genetic influences in the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Grados
- The Johns Hopkins University, CMSC 346, Baltimore, MD 21287-3325, USA.
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No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms and neurotic disorders among mainland Chinese university students. Psychiatry Res 2012; 198:313-5. [PMID: 22401966 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the genetic association between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms and neurotic disorders. Data were derived from a case-control association study of 255 undergraduates affected by neurotic disorders and 269 matched healthy undergraduate controls. The polymorphisms of eight tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the COMT gene were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based Ligase Detection Reaction (PCR-LDR). The eight tag SNPs on the COMT gene assessed were not associated with neurotic disorders. Our finding suggests that the COMT gene may not be a susceptibility gene for neurotic disorders.
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Karacetin G, Bayoglu B, Cengiz M, Demir T, Kocabasoglu N, Uysal O, Bayar R, Balcioglu I. Serotonin-2A receptor and catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms in panic disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 36:5-10. [PMID: 22036916 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 10/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and serotonin receptor 2A (5HTR2A) polymorphisms have been investigated for their possible role in panic disorder (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate the genotype distribution of the COMT val158met and 5HTR2A 102T/C polymorphisms in PD. COMT val158met is a polymorphism at codon 158 that results in variations in COMT enzymatic activity with high- (H) and low-activity (L) alleles. The 5HTR2A 102T/C polymorphism comprises a T-to-C mutation at position 102. The effects of symptom severity, gender, and age of onset were also investigated. The participants were 105 outpatients with PD and 130 controls. The severity of the symptoms of PD was assessed by the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS). Polymorphisms of the 5HTR2A and COMT genes were identified using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. A significant relationship was found between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and PD. No significant differences were found in genotype distributions or allele frequencies of the 5HTR2A polymorphisms between the PD and control groups. There were no significant relationships between the COMT and 5HTR2A polymorphisms and age of onset, gender, presence of agoraphobia, or PAS scores in the PD group (p>0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gul Karacetin
- University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Liu W, Zhao N, Xiong J, Shi M, Hu J. Association analysis of serotonin and catecholamine system candidate genes in obsessive-compulsive disorder in the Chinese population. Psychiatry Res 2011; 188:170-2. [PMID: 20937529 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2010.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2009] [Revised: 08/04/2010] [Accepted: 08/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin and catecholamine system studies provide increasing evidence for the importance of genetic factors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); we found that genetic linkage disequilibrium with OCD existed in the 5-HT2A-receptor promoter polymorphism -1438G/A. The results of our research strongly suggested that the -1438G/A promoter polymorphism plays a role in the psychopathology of OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Harbin Medical University, 150001, Harbin, China.
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Liu S, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhou R, Zong J, Li C, Zhang X, Ma X. Association of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene -287A/G polymorphism with susceptibility to obsessive-compulsive disorder in Chinese Han population. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2011; 156B:393-400. [PMID: 21344643 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.31173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Several studies suggested a genetic component in the etiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). COMT involves in the degradation of dopamine and norepinephrin. As another functional SNP locus, COMT -287A/G polymorphism showed an effect on enzyme activity, suggesting that it may influence brain dopamine levels. To identify association of COMT -287A/G polymorphism with susceptibility to OCD in Chinese Han population. We evaluate the genetic contribution of the COMT -287A/G polymorphism in 200 OCD patients and 403 OCD-free control of Chinese Han population by PCR-RFLP. In addition, we investigate whether COMT -287A/G polymorphism is associated with one or more of these symptom dimensions or other characteristics such as sex, age of onset, and tic-relatedness and evaluate the association of the factorial structure of OCD symptoms from the Y-BOCS checklist with the COMT -287A/G polymorphism. A statistical difference was found in the genotypic frequencies of COMT -287A/G between the OCD and control groups (χ(2) = 13.99, DF = 2, P = 0.00091) and in the genotypic frequencies of GG genotype versus AA and AG genotypes of COMT -287 (χ(2) = 13.49, DF = 1, P = 0.00024, OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.78-6.62). There was a trend for an association in the genotypic distributions of COMT -287A/G polymorphism of males (χ(2) = 27.81; DF = 2; P < 0.001) and females (χ(2) = 7.31; DF = 2; P = 0.026) between the OCD patients and the controls. Using principal component analysis, we derived 5 factors from 12 main contents of OCD symptoms from the Y-BOCS checklist and found no association with COMT -287A/G polymorphism. Our study supports the involvement of the COMT -287A/G polymorphism in the genetic susceptibility to OCD in Chinese Han population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiguo Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disease, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, China
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Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 2% of the populations of children and adults. Family aggregation studies have demonstrated that OCD is familial, and results from twin studies demonstrate that the familiality is due in part to genetic factors. Only three genome-wide linkage studies have been completed to date, with suggestive but not definitive results. In addition, over 80 candidate gene studies have been published. Most of these studies have focused on genes in the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways. Unfortunately, none have achieved genome-wide significance, and, with the exception of the glutamate transporter gene, none have been replicated. Future research will require the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams of investigators to (i) achieve sufficiently large samples of individuals with OCD; (ii) apply the state-of-the-art laboratory techniques; and (iii) perform the bioinformatic analyses essential to the identification of risk loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Pauls
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
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The genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome: an epidemiological and pathway-based approach for gene discovery. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010; 49:810-9, 819.e1-2. [PMID: 20643314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2010.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Revised: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a contemporary perspective on genetic discovery methods applied to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS). METHOD A review of research trends in genetics research in OCD and TS is conducted, with emphasis on novel approaches. RESULTS Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are now in progress in OCD and TS and will provide a platform for future discovery of common gene variants. Optimally, newer next-generation genome sequencing methods can also be used to detect larger effect genes (rare gene variants), taking advantage of pedigrees. Studies of gene networks or sets rather than individual genes will be required to elucidate biological etiology, as neural systems appear to act redundantly. Newer phenotyping strategies, such as symptom-based subtypes, cross-disorder latent class types, and intermediate phenotypes (endophenotypes) will need to be developed and tested to better align clinical and physiological measures with genetic architecture. CONCLUSION Although genetics research has made significant advances based on computational strength and bioinformatics advances, newer approaches to phenotyping and judicious study of gene etiological networks will be needed to uncover the genetic etiology of OCD and TS.
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Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common debilitating condition affecting individuals from childhood through adult life. There is good evidence of genetic contribution to its etiology, but environmental risk factors also are likely to be involved. The condition probably has a complex pattern of inheritance. Molecular studies have identified several potentially relevant genes, but much additional research is needed to establish definitive causes of the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Meyer 113, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Marco Grados
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - J F Samuels
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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18
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Katerberg H, Cath DC, Denys DAJP, Heutink P, Polman A, van Nieuwerburgh FCW, Deforce DLD, Bochdanovits Z, van Balkom AJLM, den Boer JA. The role of the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism in the phenotypic expression of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2010; 153B:167-76. [PMID: 19521967 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions, and shows considerable phenotypic variability. Family and twin studies have indicated a genetic component in the etiology of OCD, and the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene is an important candidate gene for OCD. This study investigates the influence of the functional COMT Val158Met polymorphism on the phenotypic expression of OCD, using an item-level factor-analytic approach in a large sample. The COMT Val158Met variant was genotyped in 373 patients and 462 controls. It was tested whether there was an association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD or dimensional phenotypes such as YBOCS severity score, age of onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and six symptom dimensions recently found in a large item-level factor-analytic study [Katerberg et al., submitted]. We further investigated possible sex-specific associations between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD or dimensional phenotypes. There was a trend for an association of the COMT 158Met allele with OCD in males, and an interaction between the COMT Val158Met genotype and sex on the somatic and sensory phenomena symptom dimension, with females showing lower scores. In conclusion, a dimensional approach seems fruitful in detecting genes of importance for OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilga Katerberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Isir AB, Dai AI, Nacak M, Gorucu S. Study: the lack of significant association of the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in violent offenders with mental retardation. J Forensic Sci 2009; 55:225-8. [PMID: 19895544 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01205.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about criminality of cognitively impaired people and also there have been no reports on the relationship between catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) and committed Mental Retardation (MR) subjects. In the present study, the association between committed (violent offences) MR subjects and genetic variants of COMT were investigated by using polymerase chain reaction and based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. During 6 years of follow-up, 36 violent offenders with mild MR were investigated. Thirty-six control volunteers were included in the study as a control group. H/L polymorphism of the COMT gene was investigated in these two groups. In conclusion, the COMT gene genotype distribution and allele frequency is not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). This result suggests that the H/L polymorphism of the COMT gene does not show an association with the potential of "commits-violent offense" of Turkish subjects with mental retardation, compared with control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysun Baransel Isir
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep, Gaziantep, Turkey.
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Assessing the validity of current mouse genetic models of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behav Pharmacol 2009; 20:119-33. [PMID: 19339874 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e32832a80ad] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses and/or repetitive behavior. OCD is a major cause of disability; however, the genetic factors and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this complex, heterogeneous disorder remain largely unknown. During the past decade, a number of putative mouse genetic models of OCD have been developed for the purpose of studying the neural mechanisms underlying this disorder and developing novel treatments. This review presents and evaluates these experimental preparations to date. Models using knockout or transgenic approaches, as well as those examining variation in genetically diverse populations, are evaluated and discussed.
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Wang Z, Xiao Z, Inslicht SS, Tong H, Jiang W, Wang X, Metzler T, Marmar CR, Jiang S. Low expression of catecholamine-O-methyl-transferase gene in obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Anxiety Disord 2009; 23:660-4. [PMID: 19269131 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2008] [Revised: 01/27/2009] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This study examined peripheral catecholamine-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) gene expression in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients and healthy controls. Participants included 35 first episode OCD patients and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Relative COMT gene expression levels were examined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood of all the subjects. COMT gene expression levels, normalized by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), were significantly decreased in the OCD group compared with healthy controls (F=6.244, p=0.015). OCD patients showed a 32% down-regulation. We also found lower COMT gene expression levels in female in comparison to male participants (F=5.366, p=0.024) in the sample as a whole. COMT gene expression down-regulation of male OCD patients relative to male controls is 38%, and that of female OCD patients relative to female controls is 27%. These results suggest that COMT gene expression down-regulation might play an important role in the development of OCD and that there may be gender differences in this alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
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Common genetic, clinical, demographic and psychosocial predictors of response to pharmacotherapy in mood and anxiety disorders. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2009; 24:1-18. [PMID: 19060722 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0b013e32831db2d7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to summarize available knowledge about common genetic, clinical, demographic and psychosocial predictors of response to pharmacotherapy in mood and anxiety disorders. A literature search was carried out by using MEDLINE and references of selected articles. The search included articles published up to March 2008. The main genetic finding concerns the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphisms, the long variant of which seems to be related to a positive response to therapy in mood disorders and could also have a role in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Among other predictors, the main factors common to both classes of disorder are comorbid axis II disorders and early onset of illness, which are related to a worse response to therapy and concomitant good physical conditions, absence of earlier treatments, early administration and response to therapies, and higher self- directedness, which is related to a better outcome. Many common predictors have been identified and these seem to be related to features covering the totality of patients that go beyond specific characteristics of single disorders. Possible limitations and suggestions for future research based on a more integrated vision of human complexity are discussed.
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The Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase Val158Met Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Cannabis Dependence. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2008; 29:320-2. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0b013e3181847e56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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24
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Walitza S, Scherag A, Renner TJ, Hinney A, Remschmidt H, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Schulz E, Schafer H, Lange KW, Wewetzer C, Gerlach M. Transmission disequilibrium studies in early onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder for polymorphisms in genes of the dopaminergic system. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2008; 115:1071-8. [PMID: 18446263 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-008-0051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2007] [Accepted: 03/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The dopaminergic system has been shown to be involved in the aetiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Family studies suggest a higher genetic loading in patients with early onset OCD. Our investigation is the first family-based association study concerning polymorphisms in genes of the dopaminergic system in early onset OCD. We studied polymorphisms within the dopamine-4 receptor gene (DRD4), the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and the catecholamine-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT). Associations of alleles of DRD4 and COMT with OCD have previously been reported in adults, while a trend towards an association was found for DAT1 alleles. In our study we observed transmission disequilibrium for the 48-bp repeat polymorphism of the DRD4 gene using the ETDT (P=0.047) in 69 trios comprising patients with early onset OCD and both of their parents. Post hoc TDT analysis of the DRD4 showed reduced transmission of the 4-repeat allele and a slightly increased transmission rate for the 7- and the 2-repeat allele. No evidence of transmission disequilibrium was detected for alleles of the DAT1 and COMT polymorphisms. These polymorphisms do not appear to play a major role in the genetic predisposition to early onset OCD in our study group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Füchsleinstr. 15, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
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25
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Tander B, Gunes S, Boke O, Alayli G, Kara N, Bagci H, Canturk F. Polymorphisms of the serotonin-2A receptor and catechol-O-methyltransferase genes: a study on fibromyalgia susceptibility. Rheumatol Int 2008; 28:685-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00296-008-0525-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2007] [Accepted: 12/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Zinkstok J, van Nimwegen L, van Amelsvoort T, de Haan L, Yusuf MA, Baas F, Linszen D. Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia: preliminary results. Psychiatry Res 2008; 157:1-8. [PMID: 17850881 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2007.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2006] [Revised: 01/26/2007] [Accepted: 02/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is a candidate gene for schizophrenia because of its role in the breakdown of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. The COMT gene contains a functional polymorphism changing enzyme activity that has been associated with some neuropsychiatric (endo)phenotypes, e.g. cognitive performance and anxiety. In this study we investigated the association between the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in 77 male patients with recent-onset schizophrenia was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), and the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism was genotyped for these patients. We found a significant effect of the COMT genotype on Y-BOCS scores: the Val/Val genotype was associated with the highest Y-BOCS scores, whereas patients with the Met/Met genotype had the lowest Y-BOCS scores. Our data suggest that the COMT high-activity Val allele is associated with more obsessive-compulsive symptoms in young patients with schizophrenia. These results support the hypothesis that the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism may be a modifier gene for the symptomatology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke Zinkstok
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Chapter 5.6 The genetics of human anxiety disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-7339(07)00022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Pooley EC, Fineberg N, Harrison PJ. The met(158) allele of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder in men: case-control study and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2007; 12:556-61. [PMID: 17264842 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Existing data suggest a genetic association between the met(158) allele of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the results are inconclusive and complicated by possible gender differences. We sought to resolve the question in two ways. First, we carried out a new case-control study in 87 adults with OCD and 327 healthy comparison subjects. The study replicated reports of an increased met(158) allele frequency in men with OCD (odds ratio (OR)=1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-3.40, P=0.026), with no effect in women (OR=1.13, 95% CI 0.74-1.72, P=0.56). Second, we performed a meta-analysis of all published case-control data (n=1908 subjects). This revealed an association of COMT met(158) with OCD (OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.06-1.42, P=0.005) and an interaction with gender (z=4.27, P<0.0001). The association between COMT met(158) and OCD was present in men (OR=1.88, 95% CI 1.45-2.44, P<0.001) but not in women (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.78-1.22, P=0.83). We conclude that COMT may play a role in the genetic aetiology of OCD in men. The biological plausibility of the association is increased by the functionality of the val(158)met polymorphism in terms of its effect on COMT enzyme activity, and by the role of COMT in cortical dopamine signalling and information processing. The finding also extends the evidence for sexual dimorphism in COMT and in OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Pooley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
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Hill RA, McInnes KJ, Gong ECH, Jones MEE, Simpson ER, Boon WC. Estrogen deficient male mice develop compulsive behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2007; 61:359-66. [PMID: 16566897 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2005] [Revised: 01/20/2006] [Accepted: 01/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aromatase converts androgen to estrogen. Thus, the aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse is estrogen deficient. We investigated the compulsive behaviors of these animals and the protein levels of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in frontal cortex, hypothalamus and liver. METHODS Grooming was analyzed during the 20-min period immediately following a water-mist spray. Running wheel activity over two consecutive nights and barbering were analyzed. COMT protein levels were measured by Western analysis. RESULTS Six-month old male but not female ArKO mice develop compulsive behaviors such as excessive barbering, grooming and wheel-running. Excessive activities were reversed by 3 weeks of 17beta-estradiol replacement. Interestingly, the presentation of compulsive behaviors is accompanied by concomitant decreases (p < .05) in hypothalamic COMT protein levels in male ArKO mice. These values returned to normal upon 17beta-estradiol treatment. In contrast, hepatic and frontal cortex COMT levels were not affected by the estrogen status, indicating region- and tissue-specific regulation of COMT levels by estrogen. No differences in COMT levels were detectable between female animals of both genotypes. CONCLUSIONS This study describes the novel observation of a possible link between estrogen, COMT and development of compulsive behaviors in male animals which may have therapeutic implications in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Hill
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent and persistent thoughts (obsessions), and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). In Korea, an epidemiological study reported that the lifetime prevalence of OCD in the population was greater than two percent. The exact cause of OCD is still unknown. Evidence from familial, twin and segregation studies supports the role of a genetic component in the etiology of OCD. In addition, there is growing evidence that OCD has a specific neurochemical and neuroanatomical basis. According to this evidence, researchers have selected various candidate genes which have been implicated in the neurophysiology of OCD, and differences of allelic variants in OCD patients and controls have been analyzed. In this review we will introduce the results of previous genetic studies of OCD which have been performed in other populations, including twin studies, family studies, segregation analyses, linkage analyses, and association studies. In addition to these studies, we will present the results of our genetic studies of OCD performed in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Joo Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chan-Hyung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Denys D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Westenberg H. Association between the dopamine D2 receptor TaqI A2 allele and low activity COMT allele with obsessive-compulsive disorder in males. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2006; 16:446-50. [PMID: 16427255 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2005.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2005] [Revised: 11/25/2005] [Accepted: 12/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence suggests the involvement of the dopamine system in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. METHOD The relationship of the dopamine D(2) receptor (DRD2) TaqI A, and catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) NlaIII High/Low activity polymorphism to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was examined in a sample of 150 patients and 150 controls. RESULTS OCD patients did not show significant differences in genotype distribution and allele frequency for polymorphisms investigated relative to controls. However, when the sample was stratified by gender, there was a trend to a significant predominance of the DRD2 A2A2 genotype (p=0.049), and a higher frequency of the DRD2 A2 allele (p=0.020) and low-activity COMT allele (p=0.035) in male OCD patients compared to male controls. In addition, we observed an association of the DRD2 A2A2 genotype in patients with an early onset of disease (<or=15 years) (p=0.033). CONCLUSIONS Our findings replicate previous reports and provide support for a potential role of the COMT and DRD2 locus in subgroup of male, early onset patients with OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiaan Denys
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Hoth KF, Paul RH, Williams LM, Dobson-Stone C, Todd E, Schofield PR, Gunstad J, Cohen RA, Gordon E. Associations between the COMT Val/Met polymorphism, early life stress, and personality among healthy adults. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2006; 2:219-25. [PMID: 19412467 PMCID: PMC2671786 DOI: 10.2147/nedt.2006.2.2.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to identify genetic factors that confer an increased risk for the expression of psychiatric symptoms have focused on polymorphisms in variety of candidate genes, including the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene. Results from previous studies that have examined associations between the functional COMT polymorphism (Val158Met) and mental health have been mixed. In the present study, we examined the relationships between COMT, early life stress, and personality in a healthy adult sample. Consistent with previous studies, we hypothesized that individuals with the low-activity genotype would have higher neuroticism and lower extraversion and that this effect would be more pronounced in females. In addition, we extended the previous literature by investigating the potential influence of early life stress. A total of 486 healthy adults underwent genetic testing and personality assessment. Results revealed that individuals homozygous for the COMT low enzyme activity allele had lower extraversion on the NEO-FFI and demonstrated a trend toward greater neuroticism. These relationships were not influenced by sex or the presence of reported early life stress. The finding that COMT genotype was associated with extraversion, and more weakly with neuroticism, is consistent with previous studies. Future research to clarify the influence of sex and gene-environmental interactions is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin F Hoth
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.
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Abstract
During the last 2 decades, a large number of association studies have been dedicated to disentangling the genetic components that may be involved in the etiology of OCD. The preliminary and frequently in consistent nature of the data represented in the majority of OCD psychiatric genetic-association studies may seem discouraging. Failure to replicate, and thus to confirm, previously identified susceptibility loci could result from a number of reasons, including the potential for population admixture, the clinical heterogeneity of OCD, small sample sizes (and subsequent lack of power),publication bias, epistasis, or failure to account for multiple testing. Various methods of accounting for these confounders do exist and should be implemented in any genetic-association study that is to be regarded as robust and replicable. Discrepancy between results, however, might be ascribed to the underlying genetic differences between the populations in the respective studies (ie, the investigated variant may be in linkage disequilibrium with the causal variant in one population but not in another). Such discrepancies are difficult to reconcile in single-locus association studies; haplotype analyses(in which a number of variants, usually single-nucleotide polymorphisms occurring on the same gene, are analyzed as a unit) may be able to resolve these uncertainties. Investigating epistatic interactions between variants in other genes that might be involved in the same physiologic pathways would be an alternative means of deciphering the reason for discrepant genetic association results.A valid means of increasing the power (by reducing background noise)would be to stratify the patient sample according to clinically defined sub-types, such as obsession and compulsion subtypes, age at onset of the disorder, and severity of the disorder. Although many of the OCD genetics studies have incorporated investigations of these subtypes [65,66,68,77,84-86,89,107,118,132,133,145,148,149], the number of subjects decreases after stratification, thereby limiting the power of the studies. It may therefore be useful to employ other quantitative approaches in the design of the investigation: the possibility should be considered that OCD symptoms can be broken down into multiple dimensions that are continuous with the normal population [150]. This division would represent an important route to disentangling the complex inheritance of OCD. The results obtained from genetic investigations should be incorporated with clinical and epidemiologic parameters to elucidate correctly the cause of OCD. Future studies should also be extended to incorporate the screening of more polymorphisms, because high-resolution mapping within specific chromosomes will improve knowledge regarding the impact of genetic diversity within the genes or linked chromosomal regions in OCD. The advantages ofa gene-based over a single-nucleotide polymorphism based approach are becoming ever more apparent [151]. Therefore, a more complete assessment of candidate genes, possibly using haplotype blocks that span larger regions,is proposed. In addition, increasing the amount of information on human genome sequences and polymorphisms will make it possible to characterize the amount of sequence variation expressed in the brain and to delineate the potential effects that these variations may have on the development of OCD. Knowledge of new functional variants will emerge as researchers gain an understanding of the potential for genetic variants in the coding and regulatory regions to impact gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sîan M J Hemmings
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
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Rocha FFD, Sousa KCAD, Teixeira AL, Fontenelle LF, Romano-Silva MA, Corrêa H. Estudos de associação entre transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo e genes candidatos: uma revisão. JORNAL BRASILEIRO DE PSIQUIATRIA 2006. [DOI: 10.1590/s0047-20852006000400005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJETIVO: Nos últimos anos, o papel dos genes dos sistemas serotoninérgicos e dopaminérgicos tem sido sistematicamente investigado em pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC), uma vez que esses neurotransmissores apresentam uma provável implicação na fisiopatologia do TOC. Este artigo objetiva revisar os principais resultados de estudos de associação entre genes candidatos e TOC. MÉTODOS: Revisão da literatura na base de dados Medline até agosto de 2006, utilizando as palavras-chave obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) e/ou gene(s), polymorphism(s), genetics. RESULTADOS: Inúmeros estudos têm apresentado resultados negativos ao compararem pacientes com TOC e controles, entretanto resultados positivos têm sido observados em pacientes com TOC com características clínicas particulares (sexo, idade de início, dimensão ou gravidade dos sintomas obsessivos ou compulsivos e presença de tiques). CONCLUSÃO: Para garantir a continuidade do avanço de estudos genéticos, é necessária a identificação de subgrupos homogêneos de pacientes com TOC. Diante desses grupos, será possível delinear endofenótipos confiáveis que permitam explorar de forma mais específica a contribuição dos diferentes genes na patogênese da doença.
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Abstract
This chapter reviews the genetic epidemiology of the major subtypes of anxiety disorders including panic disorder, phobic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Controlled family studies reveal that all of these anxiety subtypes are familial, and twin studies suggest that the familial aggregation is attributable in part to genetic factors. Panic disorder and, its spectrum have the strongest magnitude of familial clustering and genetic underpinnings. Studies of offspring of parents with anxiety disorders an increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders, but there is far less specificity of the manifestations of anxiety in children and young adolescents. Although there has been a plethora of studies designed to identify genes underlying these conditions, to date, no specific genetic loci have been identified and replicated in independent samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Merikangas
- Section on Developmental Genetic Epidemiology, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, National Institute of Mental Health/NIH, Building 35, Room 1A201, 35 Convent Drive, MSC 3720, Bethesda MD 20892-3720, USA.
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Denys D, Klompmakers AA, Westenberg HGM. Synergistic dopamine increase in the rat prefrontal cortex with the combination of quetiapine and fluvoxamine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2004; 176:195-203. [PMID: 15138756 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-004-1880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2003] [Accepted: 03/12/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The combination of atypical antipsychotic drugs in addition to serotonin reuptake inhibitors has recently proven to be beneficial in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as major depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of an atypical antipsychotic drug in combination with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor on extracellular serotonin [5-HT]ex, and dopamine levels [DA]ex in different brain areas. METHODS The effects of quetiapine (10 mg/kg) with fluvoxamine (10 mg/kg) on [5-HT]ex and [DA]ex were compared in the rat dorsal striatum, prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens (core and shell), and thalamus by means of microdialysis coupled to HPLC with electrochemical detection. RESULTS Quetiapine had no significant effect on [DA]ex and [5-HT]ex levels in the prefrontal cortex and thalamus, but increased [DA]ex and [5-HT]ex levels in the dorsal striatum. In the accumbens, quetiapine increased [DA]ex levels and decreased [5-HT]ex levels. Fluvoxamine increased [5-HT]ex levels in all brain areas, and also increased [DA]ex levels in the striatum. The combination of quetiapine with fluvoxamine increased [DA]ex and [5-HT]ex levels in all brain areas compared with baseline. Although neither quetiapine nor fluvoxamine in monotherapy affected [DA]ex levels in the prefrontal cortex and thalamus, the combination produced a significant increase of [DA]ex levels in these two brain areas. CONCLUSIONS The combination of quetiapine with fluvoxamine causes a synergistic dopamine increase in the prefrontal cortex and the thalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiaan Denys
- Department of Psychiatry, The Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Abstract
There is considerable evidence that genetic determinants play a major role in the etiology of anxiety. Investigations into susceptibility genes for anxiety are well underway, particularly for panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder and more broadly defined anxiety-related traits, such as neuroticism and harm avoidance. This review will discuss some of the core issues related to diagnosis and molecular genetic methodology, followed by a review of recent molecular genetic findings for anxiety. The authors will attempt to highlight the numerous convergent and exciting findings. Given the rapid acceleration in knowledge of the human genome, a more definitive understanding of the genetic roots of these complex conditions may be anticipated in the relatively near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Arnold
- Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
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