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Heitzer AM, Rashkin SR, Trpchevska A, Longoria JN, Rampersaud E, Olufadi Y, Wang WC, Raches D, Potter B, Steinberg MH, King AA, Kang G, Takemoto CM, Hankins JS. Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT) is associated with neurocognitive functioning in patients with sickle cell disease. Curr Res Transl Med 2024; 72:103433. [PMID: 38244277 PMCID: PMC11106217 DOI: 10.1016/j.retram.2023.103433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Neurocognitive impairment is a common and debilitating complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) resulting from a combination of biological and environmental factors. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene modulates levels of dopamine availability in the prefrontal cortex. COMT has repeatedly been implicated in the perception of pain stimuli and frequency of pain crises in patients with SCD and is known to be associated with neurocognitive functioning in the general population. The current study aimed to examine the associations of genetic variants in COMT and neurocognitive functioning in patients with SCD. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program (SCCRIP) longitudinal cohort was used as a discovery cohort (n = 166). The genotypes for 5 SNPs (rs6269, rs4633, rs4818, rs4680, and rs165599) in COMT were extracted from whole genome sequencing data and analyzed using a dominant model. A polygenic score for COMT (PGSCOMT) integrating these 5 SNPs was analyzed as a continuous variable. The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD, n = 156) and the Silent Cerebral Infarction Transfusion (SIT, n = 114) Trial were used as 2 independent replication cohorts. Due to previously reported sex differences, all analyses were conducted separately in males and females. The Benjamini and Hochberg approach was used to calculate false discovery rate adjusted p-value (q-value). RESULTS In SCCRIP, 1 out of 5 SNPs (rs165599) was associated with IQ at q<0.05 in males but not females, and 2 other SNPs (rs4633 and rs4680) were marginally associated with sustained attention at p<0.05 in males only but did not maintain at q<0.05. PGSCOMT was negatively associated with IQ and sustained attention at p<0.05 in males only. Using 3 cohorts' data, 4 out of 5 SNPs (rs6269, rs4633, rs4680, rs165599) were associated with IQ (minimum q-value = 0.0036) at q<0.05 among male participants but not female participants. The PGSCOMT was negatively associated with IQ performance among males but not females across all cohorts. CONCLUSION Select COMT SNPs are associated with neurocognitive abilities in males with SCD. By identifying genetic predictors of neurocognitive performance in SCD, it may be possible to risk-stratify patients from a young age to guide implementation of early interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Heitzer
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States.
| | - Sara R Rashkin
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ana Trpchevska
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Jennifer N Longoria
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Evadnie Rampersaud
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Yunusa Olufadi
- Biostatistics Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Winfred C Wang
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Darcy Raches
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Brian Potter
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Martin H Steinberg
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avidesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Allison A King
- Program in Occupational Therapy and Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Guolian Kang
- Biostatistics Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Clifford M Takemoto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Jane S Hankins
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States; Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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Chiș A, Oltean LE, Bîlc M, Vulturar R, Șoflău R, David D, Szentágotai-Tătar A, Miu AC. Gene-Environment Interactions in Irrational Beliefs: The Roles of Childhood Adversity and Multiple Candidate Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4206. [PMID: 38673790 PMCID: PMC11050227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the view that maladaptive thinking is the causal mechanism of mental disorders. While this view is supported by extensive evidence, very limited work has addressed the factors that contribute to the development of maladaptive thinking. The present study aimed to uncover interactions between childhood maltreatment and multiple genetic differences in irrational beliefs. Childhood maltreatment and irrational beliefs were assessed using multiple self-report instruments in a sample of healthy volunteers (N = 452). Eighteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in six candidate genes related to neurotransmitter function (COMT; SLC6A4; OXTR), neurotrophic factors (BDNF), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (NR3C1; CRHR1). Gene-environment interactions (G×E) were first explored in models that employed one measure of childhood maltreatment and one measure of irrational beliefs. These effects were then followed up in models in which either the childhood maltreatment measure, the irrational belief measure, or both were substituted by parallel measures. Consistent results across models indicated that childhood maltreatment was positively associated with irrational beliefs, and these relations were significantly influenced by COMT rs165774 and OXTR rs53576. These results remain preliminary until independent replication, but they represent the best available evidence to date on G×E in a fundamental mechanism of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Chiș
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (R.V.)
- Department of Molecular Sciences, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lia-Ecaterina Oltean
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-E.O.); (R.Ș.); (D.D.)
- The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mirela Bîlc
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
| | - Romana Vulturar
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (R.V.)
- Department of Molecular Sciences, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Șoflău
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-E.O.); (R.Ș.); (D.D.)
- The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniel David
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-E.O.); (R.Ș.); (D.D.)
- The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Aurora Szentágotai-Tătar
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (L.-E.O.); (R.Ș.); (D.D.)
- The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei C. Miu
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.); (R.V.)
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3
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Fang T, Liu MN, Liu MQ, Tian XY, Zhang XJ, Liu F, Hao W, Wu N, Li H, Li J. A preliminary study on the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms and methylation of dopamine system-related genes with psychotic symptoms in patients with methamphetamine use disorder. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1428-1440. [PMID: 38151046 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) can substantially jeopardize public security due to its high-risk social psychology and behaviour. Given that the dopamine reward system is intimately correlated with MAUD, we investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as well as methylation status of dopamine receptor type 4 (DRD4), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes, and paranoid and motor-impulsive symptoms in MAUD patients. A total of 189 MAUD patients participated in our study. Peripheral blood samples were used to detect 3 SNPs and 35 CpG units of methylation in the DRD4 gene promoter region and 5 SNPs and 39 CpG units in the COMT gene. MAUD patients with the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele have a lower percentage of paranoid symptoms than those with the rs1800955 TT allele. Individuals with paranoid symptoms exhibited a reduced methylation degree at a particular DRD4 CpG2.3 unit. The interaction of the DRD4 rs1800955 C allele and the reduced DRD4CpG2.3 methylation degree were associated with a lower occurrence of paranoid symptoms. Meanwhile, those with the COMT rs4818 CC allele had lower motor-impulsivity scores in MAUD patients but greater COMT methylation levels in the promoter region and methylation degree at the COMT CpG 51.52 unit. Therefore, based only on the COMT rs4818 CC polymorphism, there was a negative correlation between COMT methylation and motor-impulsive scores. Our preliminary results provide a clue that the combination of SNP genotype and methylation status of the DRD4 and COMT genes serve as biological indicators for the prevalence of relatively high-risk psychotic symptoms in MAUD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Fang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Nan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Qi Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Tian
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Compulsory Detoxification Center of Changsha Public Security Bureau, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Hao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ning Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
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Schoolchildren's autobiographical memory: COMT gene Val 158Met polymorphism effects on emotional content and quality of first memories. Cogn Process 2021; 23:109-120. [PMID: 34751856 PMCID: PMC8831258 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-021-01064-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Autobiographical memory is a cognitive function strongly related to emotional processing as autobiographical memory often includes emotional content. The COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism is associated with both cognitive and emotional processing. COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism effects on the emotional content and quality of Estonian schoolchildren's first autobiographical memories were investigated in the present study. In addition, gender effects were considered and the emotional valence of the first memory was taken into account. Schoolchildren's (N = 234) first memories were coded for valence, emotion words, specificity, and details. Girls were more likely to provide specific memories and recollections with an emotional valence than boys were. Children described memories with a positive or a negative valence in more detail than neutral memories. Interactions between the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and gender and valence of the events were detected: Val/Met heterozygotes provided fewer details for emotional events; Val/Met heterozygote boys reported fewer details for their first memories than Val/Met heterozygote girls did; Met/Met homozygote children provided fewer evaluative details for emotional events.
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5
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Colliva C, Ferrari M, Benatti C, Guerra A, Tascedda F, Blom JMC. Executive functioning in children with epilepsy: Genes matter. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 95:137-147. [PMID: 31054523 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric epilepsy has emerged as a chronic medical disease with a characteristic behavioral and cognitive phenotype, which includes compromised executive functioning (EF) and attention-related deficits. However, considerable interindividual variability exists; children often display very different or even opposite outcomes, and some children are more likely than others to develop neurocognitive problems in the face of similar individual and disease-related problems. The factors responsible for this interindividual variability are still largely unknown, but we do know that some genetic factors render the developing brain more susceptible to damage or traumatic experiences than others. Dopamine availability has a neuromodulatory function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and especially affects EF. Dopamine availability relates to polymorphisms in the gene encoding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT Val158Met), which in turn is affected by the methylation state of its promoter. Allelic variation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) gene, alters methylation and may influence the methylation state of the COMT promoter. Given this, we tested the hypothesis that these polymorphisms interact in children with epilepsy, and that variability in allelic expression is associated with variability in cognitive phenotype. Executive function was tested directly and indirectly (parent-rated) in 42 children between 5 and 12 years of age. The MTHFR T allele carriers performed worse than MTHFR homozygous CC carriers on indirect EF, and a significant decline was observed when T allele carriers had at least one met allele of the COMT gene, especially on Working Memory. Direct EF was significantly compromised in COMT Val/Val carriers where reduced dopamine availability seems to confer a higher risk in a test that requests a high degree of executive attention and planning. This finding suggests that in children with epilepsy, genes that influence methylation and dopamine availability affect PFC-related EF. Therefore, we should consider genetic vulnerability as a polygenic risk, which might predispose for a particular phenotype and include specific genetic signatures as part of each patient's behavioral and cognitive profile from the moment that we start to take care of the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Colliva
- Dept. of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Benatti
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Azzurra Guerra
- Dept. of Medical and Surgical science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Joan M C Blom
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Dept. of Education and Human Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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6
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Koike S, Gaysina D, Jones PB, Wong A, Richards M. Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) functional haplotype is associated with recurrence of affective symptoms: A prospective birth cohort study. J Affect Disord 2018; 229:437-442. [PMID: 29331705 PMCID: PMC5814675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphisms play an essential role in dopamine availability in the brain. However, there has been no study investigating whether a functional four-SNP (rs6269-rs4633-rs4818-rs4680) haplotype is associated with affective symptoms over the life course. METHODS We tested this using 2093 members of the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (MRC NSHD), who had been followed up since birth in 1946, and had data for COMT genotypes, adolescent emotional problems (age 13-15) and at least one measure of adult affective symptoms at ages 36, 43, 53, or 60-64 years. First, differences in the levels of affective symptoms by the functional haplotype using SNPs rs6269, rs4818, and rs4680 were tested in a structural equation model framework. Second, interactions between affective symptoms by COMT haplotype were tested under an additive model. Finally, a quadratic regressor (haplotype2) was used in a curvilinear model, to test for a possible inverted-U trend in affective symptoms according to COMT-related dopamine availability. RESULTS Women had a significant interaction between COMT haplotypes and adolescent emotional problem on affective symptoms at age 53. Post hoc analysis showed a significant positive association between adolescent emotional problems and affective symptoms at age 53 years in the middle dopamine availability group (valA/valB or met/met; β = .11, p = .007). For men, no significant interactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS Combination of the COMT functional haplotype model and inverted-U model may shed light on the effect of dopaminergic regulation on the trajectory of affective symptoms over the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinsuke Koike
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 33 Bedford Place, London WC1B 5JU, UK; University of Tokyo Institute for Diversity & Adaptation of Human Mind (UTIDAHM), 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; Center for Evolutionary Cognitive Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan; International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan.
| | - Darya Gaysina
- EDGE Lab, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Pevensey 1, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK; CAMEO, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB21 5EF, UK
| | - Andrew Wong
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 33 Bedford Place, London WC1B 5JU, UK
| | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, 33 Bedford Place, London WC1B 5JU, UK
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Sugiura L, Hata M, Matsuba-Kurita H, Uga M, Tsuzuki D, Dan I, Hagiwara H, Homae F. Explicit Performance in Girls and Implicit Processing in Boys: A Simultaneous fNIRS-ERP Study on Second Language Syntactic Learning in Young Adolescents. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:62. [PMID: 29568265 PMCID: PMC5853835 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning a second language (L2) proceeds with individual approaches to proficiency in the language. Individual differences including sex, as well as working memory (WM) function appear to have strong effects on behavioral performance and cortical responses in L2 processing. Thus, by considering sex and WM capacity, we examined neural responses during L2 sentence processing as a function of L2 proficiency in young adolescents. In behavioral tests, girls significantly outperformed boys in L2 tests assessing proficiency and grammatical knowledge, and in a reading span test (RST) assessing WM capacity. Girls, but not boys, showed significant correlations between L2 tests and RST scores. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and event-related potential (ERP) simultaneously, we measured cortical responses while participants listened to syntactically correct and incorrect sentences. ERP data revealed a grammaticality effect only in boys in the early time window (100–300 ms), implicated in phrase structure processing. In fNIRS data, while boys had significantly increased activation in the left prefrontal region implicated in syntactic processing, girls had increased activation in the posterior language-related region involved in phonology, semantics, and sentence processing with proficiency. Presumably, boys implicitly focused on rule-based syntactic processing, whereas girls made full use of linguistic knowledge and WM function. The present results provide important fundamental data for learning and teaching in L2 education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sugiura
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.,Research Center for Language, Brain and Genetics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hata
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Matsuba-Kurita
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minako Uga
- Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Welfare and Psychology, Health Science University, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tsuzuki
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.,Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ippeita Dan
- Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Hagiwara
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.,Research Center for Language, Brain and Genetics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Homae
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.,Research Center for Language, Brain and Genetics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
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8
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Sugiura L, Toyota T, Matsuba-Kurita H, Iwayama Y, Mazuka R, Yoshikawa T, Hagiwara H. Age-Dependent Effects of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene Val158Met Polymorphism on Language Function in Developing Children. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:104-116. [PMID: 27909011 PMCID: PMC6044402 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic basis controlling language development remains elusive. Previous studies of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met genotype and cognition have focused on prefrontally guided executive functions involving dopamine. However, COMT may further influence posterior cortical regions implicated in language perception. We investigated whether COMT influences language ability and cortical language processing involving the posterior language regions in 246 children aged 6–10 years. We assessed language ability using a language test and cortical responses recorded during language processing using a word repetition task and functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The COMT genotype had significant effects on language performance and processing. Importantly, Met carriers outperformed Val homozygotes in language ability during the early elementary school years (6–8 years), whereas Val homozygotes exhibited significant language development during the later elementary school years. Both genotype groups exhibited equal language performance at approximately 10 years of age. Val homozygotes exhibited significantly less cortical activation compared with Met carriers during word processing, particularly at older ages. These findings regarding dopamine transmission efficacy may be explained by a hypothetical inverted U-shaped curve. Our findings indicate that the effects of the COMT genotype on language ability and cortical language processing may change in a narrow age window of 6–10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sugiura
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.,Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan.,Research Center for Language, Brain and Genetics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-037, Japan
| | - Tomoko Toyota
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroko Matsuba-Kurita
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.,Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan.,Laboratory for Language Development, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Iwayama
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Reiko Mazuka
- Laboratory for Language Development, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takeo Yoshikawa
- Laboratory for Molecular Psychiatry, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroko Hagiwara
- Department of Language Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.,Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan.,Research Center for Language, Brain and Genetics, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-037, Japan
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9
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Xu MK, Gaysina D, Tsonaka R, Morin AJS, Croudace TJ, Barnett JH, Houwing-Duistermaat J, Richards M, Jones PB. Monoamine Oxidase A ( MAOA) Gene and Personality Traits from Late Adolescence through Early Adulthood: A Latent Variable Investigation. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1736. [PMID: 29075213 PMCID: PMC5641687 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Very few molecular genetic studies of personality traits have used longitudinal phenotypic data, therefore molecular basis for developmental change and stability of personality remains to be explored. We examined the role of the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) on extraversion and neuroticism from adolescence to adulthood, using modern latent variable methods. A sample of 1,160 male and 1,180 female participants with complete genotyping data was drawn from a British national birth cohort, the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD). The predictor variable was based on a latent variable representing genetic variations of the MAOA gene measured by three SNPs (rs3788862, rs5906957, and rs979606). Latent phenotype variables were constructed using psychometric methods to represent cross-sectional and longitudinal phenotypes of extraversion and neuroticism measured at ages 16 and 26. In males, the MAOA genetic latent variable (AAG) was associated with lower extraversion score at age 16 (β = −0.167; CI: −0.289, −0.045; p = 0.007, FDRp = 0.042), as well as greater increase in extraversion score from 16 to 26 years (β = 0.197; CI: 0.067, 0.328; p = 0.003, FDRp = 0.036). No genetic association was found for neuroticism after adjustment for multiple testing. Although, we did not find statistically significant associations after multiple testing correction in females, this result needs to be interpreted with caution due to issues related to x-inactivation in females. The latent variable method is an effective way of modeling phenotype- and genetic-based variances and may therefore improve the methodology of molecular genetic studies of complex psychological traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man K Xu
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Welten Institute, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, Netherlands.,Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Department of Psychology, Education, and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Darya Gaysina
- EDGE Lab, School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Roula Tsonaka
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alexandre J S Morin
- Substantive-Methodological Synergy Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tim J Croudace
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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10
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Pubertal maturation and affective symptoms in adolescence and adulthood: Evidence from a prospective birth cohort. Dev Psychopathol 2016; 27:1331-40. [PMID: 26439078 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579414001448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The higher prevalence of affective symptoms among women compared to men emerges in adolescence, and it has been associated with pubertal maturation. However, it remains unclear whether pubertal timing has long-term influences on affective symptoms. Using data from the British 1946 birth cohort, we investigated whether pubertal timing was associated with affective symptoms over the life course, distinguishing those with symptoms in adolescence only, symptoms in adulthood only, and symptoms in both adolescence and adulthood. In females, there was no evidence that early pubertal maturation was a risk factor for affective symptoms. However, those with particularly late menarche (≥15 years) showed a lower risk of adult-onset affective symptoms (odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.31, 0.95). This effect of late pubertal timing was not explained by a range of sociobehavioral factors. In contrast, in males, late pubertal timing was associated with increased risk of adolescent-onset affective symptoms that tracked into adulthood (odds ratio = 2.10, 95% confidence interval = 1.44, 3.06). This effect was partly explained by low prepubertal body mass index. Sex-specific effects of pubertal timing on the long-term risk of affective symptoms might be due to different effects of gonadal hormonal on the central nervous system, as well as different social experiences during puberty.
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11
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Pandolfo G, Gugliandolo A, Gangemi C, Arrigo R, Currò M, La Ciura G, Muscatello MRA, Bruno A, Zoccali R, Caccamo D. Association of the COMT synonymous polymorphism Leu136Leu and missense variant Val158Met with mood disorders. J Affect Disord 2015; 177:108-13. [PMID: 25766270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are the two most common mood disorders. Given the recognized involvement of catecholamines in depression, genetic research focused on the evaluation of polymorphisms in genes coding for proteins that regulate neurotransmitter release, transport and degradation. Here we aimed at evaluating the distribution of two genetic variants of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), namely the well characterized missense polymorphism G1947A (Val158Met) and the recently reported synonymous polymorphism C1886G (Leu136Leu), in MDD and BD patients compared with healthy subjects. METHODS Genotyping for COMT polymorphisms was carried out by DNA direct sequencing in 112 patients (54 MDD and 58 BD) and 58 healthy subjects. RESULTS We did not find significant differences in the Val158Met variant distribution between patients and controls. Instead, we found that the C1886 major allele and the CC1886 wild-type genotype frequencies were significantly higher in controls than in both groups of patients. On the contrary, the G1886 minor allele and the heterozygous CG1886 genotype were significantly more present in both MDD and BD patients than in healthy subjects. When looking at combined polymorphisms, we found a significantly higher frequency of the double heterozygous diplotype CG/GAVal/Met158 in both MDD and BD patients than in controls. Instead, the diplotype CC/GAVal/Met158 showed a significantly higher frequency in controls than in BD patients. LIMITATIONS The small size of our study cohort may limit the generalizability of the present findings. CONCLUSIONS This work first showed the association of combined Leu136Leu and Val158Met variants of COMT gene with MDD and BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Pandolfo
- Department of Neurosciences, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Gugliandolo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - C Gangemi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R Arrigo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M Currò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - G La Ciura
- Department of Neurosciences, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M R A Muscatello
- Department of Neurosciences, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Bruno
- Department of Neurosciences, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R Zoccali
- Department of Neurosciences, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - D Caccamo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morpho-functional Imaging, Polyclinic University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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12
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Kanzafarova RF, Kazantseva AV, Khusnutdinova EK. Genetic and environmental aspects of mathematical disabilities. RUSS J GENET+ 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795415010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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13
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Carmel M, Zarchi O, Michaelovsky E, Frisch A, Patya M, Green T, Gothelf D, Weizman A. Association of COMT and PRODH gene variants with intelligence quotient (IQ) and executive functions in 22q11.2DS subjects. J Psychiatr Res 2014; 56:28-35. [PMID: 24853458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) carries the highest genetic risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. We investigated the association of genetic variants in two schizophrenia candidate genes with executive function (EF) and IQ in 22q11.2DS individuals. Ninety two individuals with 22q11.2 deletion were studied for the genetic association between COMT and PRODH variants and EF and IQ. Subjects were divided into children (under 12 years old), adolescents (between 12 and 18 years old) and adults (older than 18 years), and genotyped for the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) and PRODH Arg185Trp (rs4819756) polymorphisms. The participants underwent psychiatric evaluation and EF assessment. Our main finding is a significant influence of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on both IQ and EF performance. Specifically, 22q11.2DS subjects with Met allele displayed higher IQ scores in all age groups compared to Val carriers, reaching significance in both adolescents and adults. The Met allele carriers performed better than Val carriers in EF tasks, being statistically significant in the adult group. PRODH Arg185Trp variant did not affect IQ or EF in our 22q11.2DS cohort. In conclusion, functional COMT variant, but not PRODH, affects IQ and EF in 22q11.2DS subjects during neurodevelopment with a maximal effect at adulthood. Future studies should monitor the cognitive performance of the same individuals from childhood to old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miri Carmel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
| | - Omer Zarchi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Child Psychiatry Unit, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba MedicalCenter, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel; Rabin Medical Center, 49100 Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Elena Michaelovsky
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Amos Frisch
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Miriam Patya
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Tamar Green
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Child Psychiatry Unit, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba MedicalCenter, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel; Nes-Ziyyona-Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel
| | - Doron Gothelf
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Child Psychiatry Unit, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba MedicalCenter, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel; Geha Mental-Health Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
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14
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Lamb YN, Thompson JM, Murphy R, Wall C, Kirk IJ, Morgan AR, Ferguson LR, Mitchell EA, Waldie KE. Perceived stress during pregnancy and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) rs165599 polymorphism impacts on childhood IQ. Cognition 2014; 132:461-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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15
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Niarchou M, Zammit S, Escott-Price V, Owen MJ, van den Bree MBM. Exploring the indirect effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype on psychotic experiences through cognitive function and anxiety disorders in a large birth cohort of children. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2014; 165B:410-20. [PMID: 24862404 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Children reporting psychotic experiences (PEs) are at increased risk of developing psychosis in adulthood. Cognitive deficits and anxiety disorders often precede psychotic disorders and are associated with higher risk of PEs. While the high activity alleles of variants within COMT have been associated with cognitive deficits, and the low activity alleles with higher risk of anxiety disorders, no associations of COMT with PEs have been found. One possible explanation is that the association between COMT and PEs is indirect, through cognitive function and anxiety disorders. We examined whether the association between PEs and COMT (four single nucleotide polymorphisms and three haplotypes) is indirect, through cognition or anxiety disorders. 6,784 individuals from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were genotyped and completed neurocognitive assessments at ages 8 and 11, as well as semi-structured interviews for anxiety disorders and PEs at ages 10 and 12, respectively. Alleles rs2097603 and rs4680, and two COMT haplotypes, all indexing high activity, were indirectly associated with higher risk of PEs through impaired processing speed, IQ and attention. There was no evidence of a total effect of COMT on PEs, nor for an indirect effect through anxiety disorders. This is the first study to examine indirect effects of COMT on PEs. Evidence of an indirect association suggests a complex developmental pathway underlies the emergence of PEs in children, with possible implications for prevention/intervention strategies. Our findings provide additional support for processing speed and attention as endophenotypes in psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Niarchou
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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16
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Bortsov AV, Diatchenko L, McLean SA. Complex multilocus effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase haplotypes predict pain and pain interference 6 weeks after motor vehicle collision. Neuromolecular Med 2013; 16:83-93. [PMID: 23963787 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-013-8255-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase, encoded by COMT gene, is the primary enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines. COMT haplotypes have been associated with vulnerability to persistent non-traumatic pain. In this prospective observational study, we investigated the influence of COMT on persistent pain and pain interference with life functions after motor vehicle collision (MVC) in 859 European American adults for whom overall pain (0-10 numeric rating scale) and pain interference (Brief Pain Inventory) were assessed at week 6 after MVC. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms spanning the COMT gene were successfully genotyped, and nine were present in three haploblocks: block 1 (rs2020917, rs737865, rs1544325), block 2 (rs4633, rs4818, rs4680, rs165774), and block 3 (rs174697, rs165599). After adjustment for multiple comparisons, haplotype TCG from block 1 predicted decreased pain interference (p = 0.004). The pain-protective effect of the low pain sensitivity (CGGG) haplotype from block 2 was only observed if at least one TCG haplotype was present in block 1 (haplotype × haplotype interaction p = 0.002 and <0.0001 for pain and pain interference, respectively). Haplotype AG from block 3 was associated with pain and interference in males only (sex × haplotype interaction p = 0.005 and 0.0005, respectively). These results suggest that genetic variants in the distal promoter are important contributors to the development of persistent pain after MVC, directly and via the interaction with haplotypes in the coding region of the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey V Bortsov
- TRYUMPH Research Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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