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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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Evaluation of COMT Gene rs4680 Polymorphism as a Risk Factor for Endometrial Cancer. Indian J Clin Biochem 2020; 35:63-71. [PMID: 32071497 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-018-0799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyletransferase (COMT) enzyme is involved in the inactivation of catecholamine and catechol estrogens. Catechol estrogens have carcinogenic potential and DNA damaging ability. Several studies investigated COMT Val158Met polymorphism as risk factor for endometrial cancer but the results were inconclusive. Hence the objective of present study was to find out exact association between COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism and endometrial cancer by a meta-analysis. Pubmed, Google Scholar, Springer Link and Science Direct databases were searched for case-control articles which investigated COMT Val158Met polymorphism in endometrial cancer cases. All statistical analysis was performed using MetaAnalyst and Mix programs. The results of meta-analysis suggested that there were no association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and endometrial cancer risk (allele contrast model-ORA vs. G = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.86-1.10, p = 0.67; co-dominant model-ORAG vs. GG = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.77-1.06, p = 0.23; homozygote model-ORAA vs. GG = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.84-1.19, p = 0.29; dominant model-ORAA+AG vs. GG = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.77-1.11, p = 0.43; recessive model-ORAA vs. AG+GG = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.89-1.20, p = 0.62). Publication bias was absent. Subgroup analysis based on source of controls was also performed. In conclusion, results of present meta-analysis showed no association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and susceptibility to endometrial cancer.
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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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Rai V, Yadav U, Kumar P. Impact of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Val 158Met (rs4680) Polymorphism on Breast Cancer Susceptibility in Asian Population. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CANCER PREVENTION : APJCP 2017; 18:1243-1250. [PMID: 28610409 PMCID: PMC5555530 DOI: 10.22034/apjcp.2017.18.5.1243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an important estrogen-metabolizing enzyme. Numerous case-control studies have evaluated the role COMT Val 158Met (rs4680;472G->A) polymorphism in the risk of breast cancer and provided inconclusive results, hence present meta-analysis was designed to get a more reliable assessment in Asian population. Methods: A total of 26 articles were identified through a search of four electronic databases-PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Springer link, up to March, 2016. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% con¬fidence intervals (CIs) were used as association measure to find out relationship between COMT Val158Metpolymorphism and the risk of breast cancer. We also assessed between study heterogeneity and publication bias. All statistical analyses were done by Open Meta-Analyst. Results: Twenty six case-control studies involving 5,971 breast cancer patients and 7,253 controls were included in the present meta-analysis. The results showed that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was significantly associated with breast cancer risk except heterozygote model(allele contrast odds ratio (ORAvsG)= 1.13, 95%CI=1.02-1.24,p=0.01; heterozygote/co-dominant ORGAvsGG= 1.03, 95%CI=0.96-1.11,p=0.34; homozygote ORAAvsGG= 1.38, 95%CI= 1.08-1.76,p=0.009; dominant model ORAA+GAvsGG= 1.08, 95%CI=1.01-1.16,p=0.02; and recessive model ORAAvsGA+GG= 1.35, 95%CI=1.07-1.71,p=0.01). In addition, we also performed subgroup analysis based on source of controls and menopausal state of patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was related to increased breast cancer susceptibility in the Asian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Rai
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur-222 003, UP, India.
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Bortolato M, Walss-Bass C, Thompson PM, Moskovitz J. Manic symptom severity correlates with COMT activity in the striatum: A post-mortem study. World J Biol Psychiatry 2017; 18:247-254. [PMID: 27458023 PMCID: PMC5468118 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2016.1208844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which catalyses the degradation of dopamine and norepinephrine, is posited to participate in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia. In support of this notion, rich evidence has documented that the severity of various BD and schizophrenia symptoms is moderated by rs4680, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene featuring a valine (Val)-to-methionine (Met) substitution that results in lower catalytic activity. Nevertheless, the specific relevance of COMT enzymatic activity in the pathophysiology of BD and schizophrenia dimensions remains elusive. METHODS We measured COMT catalytic activity in post-mortem prefrontal cortices, striata and cerebella of schizophrenia and BD patients, as well as non-affected controls. These values were then correlated with rs4680 genotypes and psychopathology scores in the last week of life. RESULTS No direct correlation between COMT activity and rs4680 genotypes was found; however, the severity of manic symptoms was highly correlated with COMT activity in the striatum, irrespective of the diagnostic group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that COMT striatal activity, but not rs4680 genotype, may serve as a biomarker for manic symptoms. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings and assess the neurobiological links between COMT striatal activity and manic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA,Corresponding authors: Marco Bortolato, MD PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, . Jackob Moskovitz, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045,
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Peter M. Thompson
- Southwest Brain Bank, Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Science Center at El Paso, El Paso TX 79905 USA
| | - Jackob Moskovitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA,Corresponding authors: Marco Bortolato, MD PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, . Jackob Moskovitz, PhD, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045,
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The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism Is Associated With Response to Add-on Dextromethorphan Treatment in Bipolar Disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2017; 37:94-98. [PMID: 27930497 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000000633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND We previously conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled, 12-week study evaluating the effect of add-on dextromethorphan (DM), a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, on patients with bipolar disorder (BD) treated using valproate (VPA), which showed negative clinical differences. The genetic variation between each individual may be responsible for interindividual differences. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been a candidate gene for BD. In the current study, we investigated whether the COMT Val158Met polymorphism predicts treatment response to VPA + add-on DM and to VPA + placebo. METHODS/PROCEDURES Patients with BD (n = 309) undergoing regular VPA treatments were randomly assigned to groups given either add-on DM (30 mg/d) (n = 102), DM (60 mg/d) (n = 101), or placebo (n = 106) for 12 weeks. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale were used to evaluate clinical response during weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. The genotypes of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism were determined using polymerase chain reaction plus restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. To adjust for within-subject dependence over repeated assessments, multiple linear regression with generalized estimating equation methods was used. FINDINGS/RESULTS When stratified by the COMT Val158Met genotypes, significantly greater decreases in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were found in the VPA + DM (30 mg/d) group in patients with the Val/Met genotype (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism may influence responses to DM (30 mg/d) by decreasing depressive symptoms in BD patients.
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Lin Z, He H, Zhang C, Wang Z, Jiang M, Li Q, Lan X, Zhang M, Huang X. Influence of Val108/158Met COMT Gene Polymorphism on the Efficacy of Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients with Treatment Resistant Depression. Cell Biochem Biophys 2016; 71:1387-93. [PMID: 25388840 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-014-0361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a common emotional disorder associated with increased risk of suicide and rate of disability. In this double-blinded control study, we tested the efficacy of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD) using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). The total scores of HAMD were found to be significantly decreased after the treatment. The genotyping of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) was carried out with polymerase chain reaction-based testing. Our results demonstrated that frequency of mutant COMT alleles in TRD patients was significantly higher than that of the controls indicating a correlation of the enzyme genotype to the occurrence of TRD. Moreover, the patients homozygous for wild-type COMT gene (G/G) were evidenced to be more sensitive to MECT treatment than those with an heterozygous mutant genotype (A/G).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyu Lin
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbo He
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaoling Jiang
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Qirong Li
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaochang Lan
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Minling Zhang
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Huang
- Guangzhou Brain Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 36 Mingxin Rd, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510370, People's Republic of China.
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Klein M, Schmoeger M, Kasper S, Schosser A. Meta-analysis of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism in major depressive disorder: the role of gender. World J Biol Psychiatry 2016; 17:147-58. [PMID: 26813412 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2015.1083615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many studies have reported an association of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and major depressive disorder (MDD), although with conflicting results. The role of gender is a possible modulator. To overcome the problem of poor sample size detecting genes of small effect, we perform a meta-analysis of the current literature, investigating the influence of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism on the pathogenesis of MDD, with a major focus on the effect of gender. METHODS Out of 977 retrieved articles, 21 included case-control studies allowed the analysis of 9005 patients with MDD and 12,095 controls. Allelic and genotypic pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated for the total sample and gender-subgroups. RESULTS In the absence of publication bias, allelic and genotypic analyses showed no significant association in the total sample, as well as in gender-specific subgroups. Sensitivity analysis did not alter the ORs. CONCLUSIONS The results imply a complex nature of the genotype × phenotype interaction. Further studies of the COMT gene or the locus remain to be justified given the important positional and functional relevance and the plethora of gender-specific findings. A possible way to further dissect this topic is shifting the focus to gene-based or genome-wide analyses of intermediate phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Klein
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Michaela Schmoeger
- b Department of Neurology , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Siegfried Kasper
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Alexandra Schosser
- a Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.,c Zentrum Für Seelische Gesundheit Leopoldau , Vienna , Austria
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Wang M, Ma Y, Yuan W, Su K, Li MD. Meta-Analysis of the COMT Val158Met Polymorphism in Major Depressive Disorder: Effect of Ethnicity. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2016; 11:434-45. [PMID: 26803486 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-016-9651-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680) is a potential susceptibility variant for major depressive disorder (MDD). Although many genetic studies have examined the association between MDD and this polymorphism, the results were inconclusive. In the present study, we conducted a series of meta-analyses of samples consisting of 2905 MDD cases and 2403 controls with the goal of determining whether this variant indeed has any effect on MDD. We revealed a significant association in the comparison of Val/Val + Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.180; 95 % CI = 1.019, 1.367; P = 0.027), Val/Met vs. Val/Val (OR =1.18; 95 % CI = 1.038, 1.361; P = 0.013), and Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.229; 95 % CI = 1.053, 1.435; P = 0.009). Further meta-analyses of samples with European ancestry demonstrated a significant association of this SNP with MDD susceptibility in Val/Val + Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.231, 95 % CI = 1.046, 1.449; P = 0.013) and Val/Met vs. Met/Met (OR =1.284, 95 % CI = 1.050, 1.484; P = 0.012). For the samples with East Asian ancestry, we found a significant association in both allelic (Val vs. Met: OR =0.835; 95 % CI = 0.714, 0.975; P = 0.023) and genotypic (Met/Met + Val/Met vs. Val/Val: OR =1.431, 95 % CI = 1.143, 1.791; P = 0.002; Val/Met vs. Val/Val: OR =1.482, 95 % CI = 1.171, 1.871; P = 0.001) analyses. No evidence of heterogeneity among studies or publication bias was observed. Together, our results indicate that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is a vulnerability factor for MDD with distinct effects in different ethnic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiqiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunlong Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenji Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kunkai Su
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming D Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,Air Center for Air Pollution and Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Relationship between the catechol-O-methyl transferase Val108/158Met genotype and brain volume in treatment-naive major depressive disorder: Voxel-based morphometry analysis. Psychiatry Res 2015; 233:481-7. [PMID: 26253436 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2015.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a methylation enzyme engaged in the degradation of dopamine and noradrenaline by catalyzing the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine. An association was found between the Valine (Val) 108/158Methionine (Met) COMT polymorphism (rs4680) and major depressive disorder (MDD). The authors prospectively investigated the relationship between the Val108/158Met COMT genotype and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) findings for patients with first-episode and treatment-naïve MDD and healthy subjects (HS). Participants comprised 30 MDD patients and 48 age- and sex-matched HS who were divided according to the COMT genotype. Effects of diagnosis, COMT genotype, and the genotype-diagnosis interaction in relation to brain morphology in the Val/Met and Val/Val individuals were evaluated using a VBM analysis of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging findings. Among the Val/Met individuals, the volume of the bilateral caudate was significantly smaller for MDD patients than for HS. In the Val/Val individuals, the caudate volume was comparable between MDD patients and HS. Significant genotype-diagnosis interaction effects on brain morphology were noted in the right caudate.
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Moskovitz J, Walss-Bass C, Cruz DA, Thompson PM, Hairston J, Bortolato M. The enzymatic activities of brain catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and methionine sulphoxide reductase are correlated in a COMT Val/Met allele-dependent fashion. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 41:941-51. [PMID: 25640985 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays a primary role in the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters and is implicated in the modulation of cognitive and emotional responses. The best characterized single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the COMT gene consists of a valine (Val)-to-methionine (Met) substitution at codon 108/158. The Met-containing variant confers a marked reduction in COMT catalytic activity. We recently showed that the activity of recombinant COMT is positively regulated by the enzyme Met sulphoxide reductase (MSR), which counters the oxidation of Met residues of proteins. The current study was designed to assess whether brain COMT activity may be correlated to MSR in an allele-dependent fashion. METHODS COMT and MSR activities were measured from post-mortem samples of prefrontal cortices, striata and cerebella of 32 subjects by using catechol and dabsyl-Met sulphoxide as substrates, respectively. Allelic discrimination of COMT Val(108/185) Met SNP was performed using the Taqman 5'nuclease assay. RESULTS Our studies revealed that, in homozygous carriers of Met, but not Val alleles, the activity of COMT and MSR was significantly correlated throughout all tested brain regions. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the reduced enzymatic activity of Met-containing COMT may be secondary to Met sulphoxidation and point to MSR as a key molecular determinant for the modulation of COMT activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackob Moskovitz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA
| | - Consuelo Walss-Bass
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, USA
| | - Dianne A Cruz
- Southwest Brain Bank, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA
| | - Peter M Thompson
- Southwest Brain Bank, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA
| | - Jenaqua Hairston
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA
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Wang LJ, Lee SY, Chen SL, Chang YH, Chen PS, Huang SY, Tzeng NS, Chen KC, Lee IH, Wang TY, Yang YK, Lu RB. A potential interaction between COMT and MTHFR genetic variants in Han Chinese patients with bipolar II disorder. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8813. [PMID: 25744938 PMCID: PMC4351536 DOI: 10.1038/srep08813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bipolar II disorder (BP-II), characterized by recurrent dysregulation of mood, is a serious and chronic psychiatric illness. However, BP-II is commonly under-recognized, even in psychiatric settings. Because dopaminergic disturbance is thought to be involved in the development of bipolar disorder (BPD), it seems essential to investigate dopamine-related genes like the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, which are involved in dopamine metabolism, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, which may affect COMT methylation and COMT function. The current study examined the association and interaction of the COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T variants with BP-II. Nine hundred seventy-eight participants were recruited: 531 with BP-II and 447 healthy controls. The genotypes of the COMT and MTHFR polymorphisms were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant interaction effect of the COMT Val158Met Val/Val genotype and the MTHFR C677T C/T + T/T genotype (P = 0.039) for the protective effect on the odds of developing BP-II. Our findings support preliminary evidence that the COMT and MTHFR genes interact in BP-II, and they imply the connection of both dopaminergic pathways and methylation pathways in the pathogenesis of BP-II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Jen Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Yu Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Lan Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Hsuan Chang
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Po See Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - San-Yuan Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Nian-Sheng Tzeng
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kao Chin Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - I. Hui Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Yun Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yen Kuang Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ru-Band Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Behavioral Medicine, college of medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Addiction Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Research, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli, Taiwan
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Inoue A, Akiyoshi J, Muronaga M, Masuda K, Aizawa S, Hirakawa H, Ishitobi Y, Higuma H, Maruyama Y, Ninomiya T, Tanaka Y, Hanada H, Kawano Y. Association of TMEM132D, COMT, and GABRA6 genotypes with cingulate, frontal cortex and hippocampal emotional processing in panic and major depressive disorder. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2015; 19:192-200. [PMID: 25974322 DOI: 10.3109/13651501.2015.1043133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of transmembrane protein 132D (TMEM132D), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor alpha 6 subunit (GABRA6) genotypes with cingulate, frontal cortex and hippocampal emotional processing in panic disorder (PD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TMEM132D, COMT, and GABRA6 were examined in patients with MDD, PD, and healthy controls. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in patients with MDD, PD, and healthy controls. RESULTS rs4680 in COMT and rs3219151 in GABRA6 showed positive associations with PD and MDD. A dynamic fearful face was shown to the participants during fMRI scanning. In PD patients, responses in the bilateral anterior cingulate were stronger in carriers of the AA genotype of SNP rs11060369 in TMEM132D compared with carriers of the AC + CC genotype, and stronger in CT + TT genotype carriers of SNP rs3219151 in GABRA6 compared with carriers of the CC genotype. The response in the medial orbital frontal cortex was stronger in carriers of the CT + TT genotypes of SNP rs3219151 in PD. In MDD patients, the response in the right parahippocampus of carriers of the GG genotype of rs4680 in COMT was stronger than that of carriers of the AA + AG genotype. CONCLUSION These results suggest that TMEM132D, GABRA6, and COMT variants may increase vulnerability to panic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Inoue
- a Department of Neuropsychiatry , Oita University Faculty of Medicine , Hasama-Machi, Yufu-Shi, Oita , Japan
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14
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The role of COMT gene variants in depression: Bridging neuropsychological, behavioral and clinical phenotypes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:1597-610. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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15
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Van Rheenen TE, Rossell SL. Genetic and neurocognitive foundations of emotion abnormalities in bipolar disorder. Cogn Neuropsychiatry 2013; 18:168-207. [PMID: 23088582 DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2012.690938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a serious mood disorder, the aetiology of which is still unclear. The disorder is characterised by extreme mood variability in which patients fluctuate between markedly euphoric, irritable, and elevated states to periods of severe depression. The current research literature shows that BD patients demonstrate compromised neurocognitive ability in addition to these mood symptoms. Viable candidate genes implicated in neurocognitive and socioemotional processes may explain the development of these core emotion abnormalities. Additionally, links between faulty neurocognition and impaired socioemotional ability complement genetic explanations of BD pathogenesis. This review examines associations between cognition indexing prefrontal neural regions and socioemotional impairments including emotion processing and regulation. A review of the effect of COMT and TPH2 on these functions is also explored. METHODS Major computer databases including PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Medline were consulted in order to conduct a comprehensive review of the genetic and cognitive literature in BD. RESULTS This review determines that COMT and TPH2 genetic variants contribute susceptibility to abnormal prefrontal neurocognitive function which oversees the processing and regulation of emotion. This provides for greater understanding of some of the emotional and cognitive symptoms in BD. CONCLUSIONS Current findings in this direction show promise, although the literature is still in its infancy and further empirical research is required to investigate these links explicitly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsyn E Van Rheenen
- Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University, and Cognitive Neuropsychology Laboratory, Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Center, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been well established that both genes and non-shared environment contribute substantially to the underlying aetiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). A comprehensive overview of genetic research in MDD is presented. Method Papers were retrieved from PubMed up to December 2011, using many keywords including: depression, major depressive disorder, genetics, rare variants, gene-environment, whole genome, epigenetics, and specific candidate genes and variants. These were combined in a variety of permutations. RESULTS Linkage studies have yielded some promising chromosomal regions in MDD. However, there is a continued lack of consistency in association studies, in both candidate gene and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Numerous factors may account for variable results including the use of different diagnostic approaches, small samples in early studies, population stratification, epigenetic phenomena, copy number variation (CNV), rare variation, and phenotypic and allelic heterogeneity. The conflicting results are also probably, in part, a consequence of environmental factors not being considered or controlled for. CONCLUSIONS Each research group has to identify what issues their sample may best address. We suggest that, where possible, more emphasis should be placed on the environment in molecular behavioural genetics to identify individuals at environmental high risk in addition to genetic high risk. Sequencing should be used to identify rare and alternative variation that may act as a risk factor, and a systems biology approach including gene-gene interactions and pathway analyses would be advantageous. GWAS may require even larger samples with reliably defined (sub)phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cohen-Woods
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.
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17
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Armagan E, Almacıoglu M, Yakut T, Köse A, Karkucak M, Köksal O, Gorukmez O. Cathecol-O-methyl transferase Val158Met genotype is not a risk factor for conversion disorder. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2013; 12:852-8. [DOI: 10.4238/2013.march.19.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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18
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Szczepankiewicz A. Evidence for single nucleotide polymorphisms and their association with bipolar disorder. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2013; 9:1573-82. [PMID: 24143106 PMCID: PMC3798233 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s28117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex disorder with a number of susceptibility genes and environmental risk factors involved in its pathogenesis. In recent years, huge progress has been made in molecular techniques for genetic studies, which have enabled identification of numerous genomic regions and genetic variants implicated in BD across populations. Despite the abundance of genetic findings, the results have often been inconsistent and not replicated for many candidate genes/single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Therefore, the aim of the review presented here is to summarize the most important data reported so far in candidate gene and genome-wide association studies. Taking into account the abundance of association data, this review focuses on the most extensively studied genes and polymorphisms reported so far for BD to present the most promising genomic regions/SNPs involved in BD. The review of association data reveals evidence for several genes (SLC6A4/5-HTT [serotonin transporter gene], BDNF [brain-derived neurotrophic factor], DAOA [D-amino acid oxidase activator], DTNBP1 [dysbindin], NRG1 [neuregulin 1], DISC1 [disrupted in schizophrenia 1]) to be crucial candidates in BD, whereas numerous genome-wide association studies conducted in BD indicate polymorphisms in two genes (CACNA1C [calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1C subunit], ANK3 [ankyrin 3]) replicated for association with BD in most of these studies. Nevertheless, further studies focusing on interactions between multiple candidate genes/SNPs, as well as systems biology and pathway analyses are necessary to integrate and improve the way we analyze the currently available association data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Szczepankiewicz
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland ; Department of Psychiatric Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Lee SY, Chen SL, Wang YS, Chang YH, Huang SY, Tzeng NS, Lee IH, Yeh TL, Yang YK, Lu RB. COMT and BDNF interacted in bipolar II disorder not comorbid with anxiety disorder. Behav Brain Res 2012; 237:243-8. [PMID: 23026378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BP), especially bipolar II disorder (BP-II), is highly comorbid with anxiety disorder (AD). Monoaminergic dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of BP, it may be important to investigate genes such as the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), involved in monoamine metabolism and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes, modulating the monoamine system. We therefore examined the association of the COMT Val158Met and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms with BP-II with and without comorbidity of AD, and possible interactions between these genes. Seven hundred and seventy-one participants were recruited: 314 with bipolar-II without AD, 117 with bipolar-II with AD, and 340 healthy controls. The genotypes of the COMT and BDNF polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reactions plus restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant effect of the COMT and the BDNF polymorphisms, and a significant interaction effect for the Val/Val genotypes of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and the COMsT Val158Met Val/Met and Met/Met genotypes (P=0.007, 0.048) discriminated between BP-II without AD patients and controls. Our findings provide initial evidence that the COMT and BDNF genes interact in bipolar-II without AD. Our findings suggest the involvement of dopaminergic pathway in the pathogenesis of bipolar-II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yu Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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20
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Witte AV, Flöel A. Effects of COMT polymorphisms on brain function and behavior in health and disease. Brain Res Bull 2012; 88:418-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Seifuddin F, Mahon PB, Judy J, Pirooznia M, Jancic D, Taylor J, Goes FS, Potash JB, Zandi PP. Meta-analysis of genetic association studies on bipolar disorder. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2012; 159B:508-18. [PMID: 22573399 PMCID: PMC3582382 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Numerous candidate gene association studies of bipolar disorder (BP) have been carried out, but the results have been inconsistent. Individual studies are typically underpowered to detect associations with genes of small effect sizes. We conducted a meta-analysis of published candidate gene studies to evaluate the cumulative evidence. We systematically searched for all published candidate gene association studies of BP. We then carried out a random-effects meta-analysis on all polymorphisms that were reported on by three or more case-control studies. The results from meta-analyses of these genes were compared with the findings from a recent mega-analysis of eleven genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in BP performed by the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium (PGC). A total of 487 articles were included in our review. Among these, 33 polymorphisms in 18 genes were reported on by three or more case-control studies and included in the random-effects meta-analysis. Polymorphisms in BDNF, DRD4, DAOA, and TPH1, were found to be nominally significant with a P-value < 0.05. However, none of the findings were significant after correction for multiple testing. Moreover, none of these polymorphisms were nominally significant in the PGC-BP GWAS. A number of plausible candidate genes have been previously associated with BP. However, the lack of robust findings in our review of these candidate genes highlights the need for more atheoretical approaches to study the genetics of BP afforded by GWAS. The results of this meta-analysis and from other on-going genomic experiments in BP are available online at Metamoodics (http://metamoodics.igm.jhmi.edu).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fayaz Seifuddin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pamela Belmonte Mahon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jennifer Judy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dubravka Jancic
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Jacob Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Fernando S. Goes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James B. Potash
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Peter P. Zandi
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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European Group for the Study of Resistant Depression (GSRD)--where have we gone so far: review of clinical and genetic findings. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2012; 22:453-68. [PMID: 22464339 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The primary objective of this review is to give an overview of the main findings of the European multicenter project "Patterns of Treatment Resistance and Switching Strategies in Affective Disorder", performed by the Group for the Study of Resistant Depression (GSRD). The aim was to study methodological issues, operational criteria, clinical characteristics, and genetic variables associated with treatment resistant depression (TRD), that is failure to reach response after at least two consecutive adequate antidepressant trials. The primary findings of clinical variables associated with treatment resistance include comorbid anxiety disorders as well as non-response to the first antidepressant received lifetime. Although there is a plethora of hints in textbooks that switching the mechanism of action should be obtained in case of nonresponse to one medication, the results of the GSRD challenge this notion by demonstrating in retrospective and prospective evaluations that staying on the same antidepressant mechanism of action for a longer time is more beneficial than switching, however, when switching is an option there is no benefit to switch across class. The GSRD candidate gene studies found that metabolism status according to cytochrome P450 gene polymorphisms may not be helpful to predict response and remission rates to antidepressants. Significant associations with MDD and antidepressant treatment response were found for COMT SNPs. Investigating the impact of COMT on suicidal behaviour, we found a significant association with suicide risk in MDD patients not responding to antidepressant treatment, but not in responders. Further significant associations with treatment response phenotypes were found with BDNF, 5HTR2A and CREB1. Additional investigated candidate genes were DTNBP1, 5HT1A, PTGS2, GRIK4 and GNB3.
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Domschke K, Baune BT, Havlik L, Stuhrmann A, Suslow T, Kugel H, Zwanzger P, Grotegerd D, Sehlmeyer C, Arolt V, Dannlowski U. Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene variation: Impact on amygdala response to aversive stimuli. Neuroimage 2012; 60:2222-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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Schosser A, Calati R, Serretti A, Massat I, Kocabas NA, Papageorgiou K, Linotte S, Mendlewicz J, Souery D, Zohar J, Juven-Wetzler A, Montgomery S, Kasper S. The impact of COMT gene polymorphisms on suicidality in treatment resistant major depressive disorder--a European multicenter study. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2012; 22:259-66. [PMID: 21940152 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2011.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2011] [Revised: 08/21/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Many association studies have reported associations between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene and psychiatric disorders including major depression (MDD). The COMT gene has further been associated with suicidal behaviour, as well as with treatment response, although with conflicting results. In the present study, we further elucidate the impact of COMT in treatment response in MDD patients with suicide risk and/or a personal history of suicide attempts. Two hundred fifty MDD patients were collected in the context of a European multicentre resistant depression study and treated with antidepressants at adequate doses for at least 4 weeks. Suicidality was assessed using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Treatment response was defined as HAM-D ≤ 17 and remission as HAM-D ≤ 7 after 4 weeks of treatment with antidepressants at adequate dose. Genotyping was performed for seven SNPs (rs4680, rs2075507, rs737865, rs6269, rs4633, rs4818 and rs165599) within the COMT gene. With regard to suicide risk and personal history of suicide attempts, neither single marker nor haplotypic association was found with any SNP after multiple testing correction. In non-responders, we found significant single marker and haplotypic association with suicide risk, but not in responders. The same holds true for both remitters and non-remitters, and when testing for association with a personal history of suicide attempts and treatment response phenotypes. In conclusion, we found significant association of COMT SNPs with suicide risk in MDD patients not responding to antidepressant treatment. Larger well-defined cohorts will be required to dissect this further.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Schosser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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25
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Lee SY, Chen SL, Chen SH, Huang SY, Tzeng NS, Chang YH, Wang CL, Lee IH, Yeh TL, Yang YK, Lu RB. The COMT and DRD3 genes interacted in bipolar I but not bipolar II disorder. World J Biol Psychiatry 2011; 12:385-91. [PMID: 20698735 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2010.505298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES. Clarifying the association between bipolar I and bipolar II disorders at the genetic level is essential for improving our understanding of them. In this study, we evaluated the hypothesis that the dopaminergic polymorphisms are risk factors for bipolar disorders. We examined the association between the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met and dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) Ser9Gly polymorphisms and bipolar I and II disorders, as well as possible interactions between these genes. METHODS. Seven hundred and eleven participants were recruited: 205 with bipolar I, 270 with bipolar II, and 236 healthy controls. The genotypes of the COMT Val158Met and DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reactions plus restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS. Logistic regression analyses showed a statistically significant main effect for the Met/Met genotype of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (P=0.032) and a significant interaction effect for the Met/Met genotype of the COMT Val158Met and Ser/Ser genotypes of the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism (P=0.001) predicted bipolar I patients. However, there was no association between the COMT Val158Met or DRD3 Ser9Gly and bipolar II. CONCLUSIONS. We provide initial evidence that the COMT Val158Met and DRD3 Ser9Gly genotypes interact in bipolar I and bipolar II disorders and that bipolar I and bipolar II are genetically distinct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yu Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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26
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Benedetti F, Dallaspezia S, Locatelli C, Radaelli D, Poletti S, Lorenzi C, Pirovano A, Colombo C, Smeraldi E. Recurrence of bipolar mania is associated with catechol-O-methyltransferase Val(108/158)Met polymorphism. J Affect Disord 2011; 132:293-6. [PMID: 21397335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Revised: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inactivates catecholamines, and a G-A transition in the COMT gene (rs4680) influences the enzyme activity and the interaction between cortical and subcortical dopaminergic neurotransmission. In patients affected by bipolar disorder rs4680 can influence antidepressant response and the propensity to develop psychotic symptoms, with the Met/Met genotype exerting a protective role. The same genotype could influence other dopamine-associated psychopathological features, such as mania. METHODS We genotyped rs4680 in a sample of 163 patients affected by bipolar disorder type I, and assessed the personal history of recurrence of the illness. RESULTS We observed a significant association between homozygosis for the rs4680 COMT low-activity variant and a reduced recurrence of manic, but not depressive, episodes during the course of the illness. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that rs4680 could be an inheritable aspect of the mechanisms of dopamine regulation that influence the individual susceptibility of patients with bipolar disorder to develop manic episodes of illness.
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COMT and age at onset in mood disorders: A replication and extension study. Neurosci Lett 2011; 498:218-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 05/02/2011] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Pivac N, Pregelj P, Nikolac M, Zupanc T, Nedic G, Muck Seler D, Videtic Paska A. The association between catechol-O-methyl-transferase Val108/158Met polymorphism and suicide. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2011; 10:565-9. [PMID: 21486391 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00695.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
One of the candidate genes for suicide is also a gene in the pathway for catecholamine degradation encoding an enzyme catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT). It harbors a common functional polymorphism, a G to A nucleotide transition resulting in amino acid substitution from valine (Val) to methionine (Met) at position 158 (COMT Val(108/158) Met; rs4680), that has been associated with psychiatric disorders characterized with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. We have performed the first study on Caucasian population examining the association between completed suicide and the COMT Val(108/158) Met polymorphism. The study population consisted of 356 suicide victims and 198 control subjects. Significant difference in COMT Val(108/158) Met variants' (genotypes, alleles and Val carriers) distribution was found only in male groups, between controls and suicide victims (P = 0.018, P = 0.031, P = 0.005), and between controls and violent suicide victims (P = 0.026, P = 0.042, P = 0.010). The r value from the standardized residuals showed that the Met/Met genotype (r = 2.03) in the control group contributed to these significant differences. In contrast to male subjects, no significant differences in the frequency of the COMT Val(108/158) Met variants were detected between female control and female suicide groups; however, the power of calculation (range 0.161-0.680) was below the desired 0.800. In addition, the logistic regression analysis confirmed these significant differences. In conclusion, our results showed the overpresentation of the Met/Met genotype in male control subjects compared with male suicide victims, suggesting that this genotype of the COMT Val(108/158) Met might be a protective factor against suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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29
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Åberg E, Fandiño-Losada A, Sjöholm LK, Forsell Y, Lavebratt C. The functional Val158Met polymorphism in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is associated with depression and motivation in men from a Swedish population-based study. J Affect Disord 2011; 129:158-66. [PMID: 20828831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2010] [Revised: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental risk factors together with genetic vulnerability create a complex background to develop depression. METHODS We investigated the associations between COMT Val(158)Met and depression in a Swedish population-based sample of 405 depressed individuals (major depression diagnosis, dysthymia or mixed anxiety depression defined according to DSM-IV) and 2,151 healthy controls. We also analyzed interaction between this genetic variation and some environmental risk factors for depression and the link between this polymorphism and the low motivational level and negative mood state found in depressed individuals. RESULTS Depressed individuals displayed a higher frequency of the Met/Met and Met/Val genotypes compared to controls (OR=1.49, CI(95%)=1.11-2.00, P=0.009). The association was found among men only (OR=2.26, CI(95%)=1.26-4.05, p=0.008). Regression analysis including some potential risk factors for depression, did further indicate that Met/Met and Met/Val were associated with depression in men (P=0.005). There was also an interaction between genotype and family childhood problems (RERI=0.876, CI(95%)=0.090-1.662 and AP=0.426, CI(95%)=0.030-0.821). Further, depressed men homozygous for the Val-allele, had a higher motivational level than depressed men with a Met-variant (P=0.02). LIMITATIONS The sample size of depressed individuals per group when stratifying cases according to gender and genotypes is considered a limitation. CONCLUSIONS The Met-variants of COMT Val(158)Met are risk variants for depression and low motivational level in depressed Swedish men, but not women. Individuals with this risk variant in combination with a problematic childhood, have an even higher risk to develop depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Åberg
- Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Walderhaug E, Varga M, Pedro MS, Hu J, Neumeister A. The role of the aminergic systems in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2011; 5:107-126. [PMID: 25236552 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a major medical and social burden, but little is known about the specific pathophysiology of BPD. The key biogenic amines in the aminergic system include serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and acetylcholine (ACh). By analyzing these neurotransmitters, this chapter highlights three hypotheses in the pathophysiology of BPD: the biogenic amine hypothesis, the cholinergic-aminergic balance hypothesis, and the permissive hypothesis. Evidence from select studies of cerebrospinal fluid, postmortem subjects, neuroimaging, genetic factors, and pharmacological agents will be used to reconcile these hypotheses. Possible explanations for discrepancies in these hypotheses are given, and directions for future studies are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Espen Walderhaug
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, 1094, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway,
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Abstract
Depression is one of the most common psychological diseases with significant potential morbidity and mortality. Although the underlying pathophysiology of depression has not been clearly defined, preclinical and clinical evidence suggest disturbances in serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Virtually all currently available antidepressants act on one or more of the following mechanisms: inhibition of reuptake of 5-HT or NE (and DA), antagonism of inhibitory presynaptic 5-HT or NE receptors, or inhibition of monoamine oxidase. All of these mechanisms result in an enhanced neurotransmission of 5-HT and/or NE. Evidence for the involvement of NE in depression is abundant, and recent studies on neuronal pathways and symptoms highlight the specific role of NE in this disorder. NE plays a determinant role in executive functioning regulating cognition, motivation, and intellect, which are fundamental in social relationships. Social dysfunction is possibly one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life in depressed patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Moret
- NeuroBiz Consulting and Communication, Castres, France
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Tee S, Tang P, Loh H. No evidence for association between DRD3 and COMT with schizophrenia in a Malay population. GENETICS AND MOLECULAR RESEARCH 2011; 10:1850-5. [DOI: 10.4238/vol10-3gmr1237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Depression and the role of genes involved in dopamine metabolism and signalling. Prog Neurobiol 2010; 92:112-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2010.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2009] [Revised: 06/01/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Benedetti F, Dallaspezia S, Colombo C, Lorenzi C, Pirovano A, Smeraldi E. Association between catechol-O-methyltransferase Val(108/158)Met polymorphism and psychotic features of bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord 2010; 125:341-4. [PMID: 20122740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2009] [Revised: 01/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inactivates catecholamines, and a G-A transition in the COMT gene (rs4680) influences the enzyme activity and the interaction between cortical and subcortical dopaminergic neurotransmission. Studies in healthy participants and in patients affected by schizophrenia suggested that rs4680 can influence the propensity to develop psychotic symptoms, with the Met low-activity allele exerting a protective role. Previous studies in bipolar patients reported non-significant trends in the same direction. METHODS We genotyped rs4680 in a sample of 467 patients affected by bipolar disorder type I with or without a previous illness episode with psychotic features (DSM-IV criteria: delusions or hallucinations). RESULTS We observed a significant association between homozygosis for the rs4680 COMT low-activity variant and a reduced risk of experiencing illness episodes with psychotic features during the course of the illness. The Met/Met genotype was more common among patients without psychotic features, and while in the non-psychotic group the Val/Val genotype had a distribution similar to Met/Met, in the group of patients who experienced episodes with psychotic symptoms the proportion of Val/Val homozygotes was the double of Met/Met. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that rs4680 could be an inheritable aspect of the mechanisms of dopamine regulation that could influence the individual susceptibility of patients with bipolar disorder to develop psychotic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Benedetti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Scientific Institute and University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
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Catechol O-methyltransferase variants and cognitive performance in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder versus controls. Schizophr Res 2010; 122:31-7. [PMID: 20605701 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Revised: 04/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gene encoding Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), a dopamine catabolic enzyme, is an important candidate gene in several psychiatric disorders. Several studies have shown an association between the functional Val(158)Met polymorphism and cognitive performance. However, the results have been inconsistent and there are few studies addressing other COMT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). METHODS We investigated SNPs across the whole COMT gene, including the Val(158)Met polymorphism, for a putative effect on working memory, executive function and IQ in 315 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and 340 healthy controls. RESULTS We replicated the association between the Val(158)Met variant and working memory performance, and found a significant interaction between this SNP and diagnosis, with patients with schizophrenia showing a specific, reduced performance on the 2-back test. Several other COMT SNPs were associated with different cognitive functions, but did not remain significant after controlling for multiple testing. We also found significant interaction effects between the SNP variants and gender. CONCLUSIONS The present study replicates earlier findings showing an association between the functional Val(158)Met polymorphism and working memory performance, with schizophrenia subjects particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, our findings suggest that other parts of the COMT gene seem to affect several related cognitive domains, which further support the notion that COMT is a modifier gene in prefrontal dopamine functioning.
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Drury SS, Theall KP, Smyke AT, Keats BJB, Egger HL, Nelson CA, Fox NA, Marshall PJ, Zeanah CH. Modification of depression by COMT val158met polymorphism in children exposed to early severe psychosocial deprivation. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2010; 34:387-95. [PMID: 20403637 PMCID: PMC4107883 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2009] [Revised: 07/13/2009] [Accepted: 09/08/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val(158)met allele on depressive symptoms in young children exposed to early severe social deprivation as a result of being raised in institutions. METHODS One hundred thirty six children from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP) were randomized before 31 months of age to either care as usual (CAU) in institutions or placement in newly created foster care (FCG). At 54 months of age, a psychiatric assessment using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) was completed. DNA was collected and genotyped for the COMT val(158)met polymorphism. Multivariate analysis examined the relationship between COMT alleles and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Mean level of depressive symptoms was lower among participants with the met allele compared to those with two copies of the val allele (P<0.05). Controlling for group and gender, the rate of depressive symptoms was significantly lower among participants with the met/met or the met/val genotype [adjusted relative risk (aRR)=0.67, 95% CI=0.45, 0.99] compared to participants with the val/val genotype, indicating an intermediate impact for heterozygotes consistent with the biological impact of this polymorphism. The impact of genotype within groups differed significantly. There was a significant protective effect of the met allele on depressive symptoms within the CAU group, however there was no relationship seen within the FCG group. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study, to our knowledge, to find evidence of a genexenvironment interaction in the setting of early social deprivation. These results support the hypothesis that individual genetic differences may explain some of the variability in recovery amongst children exposed to early severe social deprivation.
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Illi A, Setälä-Soikkeli E, Kampman O, Viikki M, Nuolivirta T, Poutanen O, Huhtala H, Mononen N, Lehtimäki T, Leinonen E. Catechol-O-methyltransferase val108/158met genotype, major depressive disorder and response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in major depressive disorder. Psychiatry Res 2010; 176:85-7. [PMID: 20071037 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2008] [Revised: 01/14/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The functional val108/158met polymorphism of the COMT gene (rs4680) was evaluated in major depressive disorder (MDD), and in the treatment response to antidepressants in MDD. We could not demonstrate any significant difference in the distribution of this COMT single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the treatment response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or between patients with MDD and control subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Illi
- University of Tampere, Medical School, Tampere, Finland.
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Lee HY, Kim YK. Catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphism affects therapeutic response to mood stabilizer in symptomatic manic patients. Psychiatry Res 2010; 175:63-6. [PMID: 20004480 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2008.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2008] [Revised: 07/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/30/2008] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a candidate gene for the pathogenesis of some psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the role of the COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism on the clinical aspects of bipolar disorder including symptomatology and therapeutic response. This study comprised 144 unrelated manic patients who met strict DSM-IV criteria for bipolar I disorder and 157 healthy unrelated controls. All subjects were of Korean ethnicity. To evaluate the clinical symptoms, we used the Young Mania Rating Scale at baseline and 6 weeks after treatment. No statistically significant difference in genotype distribution was found between manic patients and normal controls. There was also no significant difference in symptomatology among the genotypes in manic patients. In therapeutic response, however, patients with the Met/Met genotype were significantly more frequent in the non-responder than in the responder group. Our results suggest that the COMT gene polymorphism in the therapeutic response to mood stabilizers in manic patients. Further studies with a larger number of subjects and well-controlled design will be required to better understand the role of the COMT gene polymorphism on the therapeutic response to mood stabilizer in manic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwa-Young Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Domschke K, Zavorotnyy M, Diemer J, Nitsche S, Hohoff C, Baune BT, Deckert J, Arolt V, Zwanzger P. COMT val158met influence on electroconvulsive therapy response in major depression. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2010; 153B:286-90. [PMID: 19309019 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of depression, with the functional catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism having been suggested as a potential susceptibility factor. In the present study, the effect of COMT val158met on response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was analyzed in a sample of 104 Caucasian patients (f = 71, m = 33) with pharmacologically treatment-resistant Major Depression. The higher active COMT 158val allele was found to be associated with (1) higher pre-ECT severity of depression and (2) better treatment response to ECT particularly regarding the core symptoms of depression as well as sleep-related symptoms. These findings were restricted to the female subgroup of patients. In summary, the present study supports a potentially gender-specific significant impact of COMT gene variation on electroconvulsive therapy response, with COMT 158val risk allele carriers suffering from more severe, pharmacologically less efficiently treatable depression and thus possibly deriving greater benefit from ECT in the first place.
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Potter GG, Taylor WD, McQuoid DR, Steffens DC, Welsh-Bohmer KA, Krishnan KRR. The COMT Val158Met polymorphism and cognition in depressed and nondepressed older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2009; 24:1127-33. [PMID: 19296553 PMCID: PMC3793427 DOI: 10.1002/gps.2235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism and neuropsychological performance in depressed and nondepressed older adults. METHODS One hundred and twenty-six clinically depressed older adults and 105 nondepressed comparison participants were compared on neuropsychological performance and COMT Val(158)Met (Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met). RESULTS Based on multivariate regression models, the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism was not associated with cognitive performance among depressed or nondepressed individuals, nor did this polymorphism account for the fact that depressed individuals performed worse than nondepressed individuals on several neuropsychological tests that are typically affected by depression. There was also no difference in frequency of the COMT Val(158)Met alleles between depressed and nondepressed individuals. CONCLUSIONS Although the current study found no association between COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism on a number of clinical neuropsychological tests that are typically found to be sensitive to depression, differential effects of the COMT Val(158)Met polymorphism on dopamine transmission in psychiatric and non-psychiatric populations may be further clarified by clinical research with neuroscience-based paradigms that segregate cognitive tasks into component processes with precise neural substrates, particularly with respect to the complex functions of the prefrontal cortex. Negative results can be important to narrowing down target processes and understanding the influence of clinical and demographic characteristics in studies of psychiatric genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. G. Potter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,Correspondence to: Dr. G. G. Potter, Duke Memory in Aging Studies, DUMC Box 3925 Durham, NC 27710-3925, USA.
| | - W. D. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - D. R. McQuoid
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - D. C. Steffens
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - K. A. Welsh-Bohmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,Department of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, NC, USA
| | - K. R. R. Krishnan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,The Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore
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Pan CC, McQuoid DR, Taylor WD, Payne ME, Ashley-Koch A, Steffens DC. Association analysis of the COMT/MTHFR genes and geriatric depression: an MRI study of the putamen. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2009; 24:847-55. [PMID: 19235787 PMCID: PMC2711996 DOI: 10.1002/gps.2206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) had been reported to relate to depression but with inconsistent results. The basal ganglia are also important in the pathophysiology of affective disorder via connections with limbic system and prefrontal cortex. The authors examined the relationship between an interaction of COMT/MTHFR polymorphisms and volumes of putamen in depressed and nondepressed elders. METHODS Participants included 170 depressed and 83 nondepressed subjects aged 60 years or older. Subjects completed cross-sectional assessments, including clinical evaluation, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T genotyping. Putamen volumes were measured using 1.5-Tesla whole-body MRI system. Statistical models examined the relationship between COMT/MTHFR genotype, proportional volumes of putamen and depression while controlling for age and sex. RESULTS After controlling for covariates, among depressed subjects with MTHFR C/C, both the right and left putamen had smaller volumes as the number of COMT 158Val increased. The left putamen volumes of depressed subjects with COMT Met/Met were smaller as the number of MTHFR 677T increased compared to nondepressed subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not support a major role for COMT or MTHFR alone. However, an epigenetic interaction of COMT Val158Met and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms may contribute to putamen volumes differences between depressed and nondepressed subjects. Further studies with a larger sample size are necessary to support a genetically based role for basal ganglia structures in the etiopathogenesis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chuan Pan
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
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Zhang Z, Lindpaintner K, Che R, He Z, Wang P, Yang P, Feng G, He L, Shi Y. The Val/Met functional polymorphism in COMT confers susceptibility to bipolar disorder: evidence from an association study and a meta-analysis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2009; 116:1193-200. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-009-0260-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2009] [Accepted: 06/18/2009] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Huuhka K, Anttila S, Huuhka M, Hietala J, Huhtala H, Mononen N, Lehtimäki T, Leinonen E. Dopamine 2 receptor C957T and catechol-o-methyltransferase Val158Met polymorphisms are associated with treatment response in electroconvulsive therapy. Neurosci Lett 2008; 448:79-83. [PMID: 18929622 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2008] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaija Huuhka
- University of Tampere, Medical School, 33014 University of Tampere, Finland.
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Hettema JM, An SS, Bukszar J, van den Oord EJCG, Neale MC, Kendler KS, Chen X. Catechol-O-methyltransferase contributes to genetic susceptibility shared among anxiety spectrum phenotypes. Biol Psychiatry 2008; 64:302-10. [PMID: 18436194 PMCID: PMC2597663 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2007] [Revised: 03/17/2008] [Accepted: 03/18/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been investigated for its possible role in a wide range of psychiatric phenotypes. In particular, several studies support association of this gene with panic disorder and other anxiety-related traits. METHODS We examined the COMT gene for association with genetic risk across a range of anxiety spectrum phenotypes. We used multivariate structural equation modeling to select twin pairs scoring at the extremes of a latent genetic risk factor shared by neuroticism, several anxiety disorders, and major depression from a large population-based twin sample. With one member from each of these pairs, the resulting sample of 589 cases and 539 control subjects were entered into a two-stage association study in which genetic markers were screened in stage 1, the positive results of which were tested for replication in stage 2. RESULTS The functional val158met polymorphism (rs4680) plus nine other single nucleotide polymorphism markers selected to capture the major allelic variation across the COMT locus were analyzed for differences between cases and control subjects. Although the val (G) allele of rs4680 showed marginally significant association in our combined stage 1 plus stage 2 sample, a high-risk haplotype of this allele with the A allele of rs165599 was significantly over-represented in cases (p = 1.97e-5, odds ratio = 1.95). This haplotype also predicted individual differences in neuroticism and risk for several anxiety disorders and major depression. Consistent with prior studies, our findings are female-specific. CONCLUSIONS Variations in the COMT gene contribute to genetic risk shared across a range of anxiety-related phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Hettema
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298-0126, USA.
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Serretti A, Mandelli L. The genetics of bipolar disorder: genome 'hot regions,' genes, new potential candidates and future directions. Mol Psychiatry 2008; 13:742-71. [PMID: 18332878 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2008.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BP) is a complex disorder caused by a number of liability genes interacting with the environment. In recent years, a large number of linkage and association studies have been conducted producing an extremely large number of findings often not replicated or partially replicated. Further, results from linkage and association studies are not always easily comparable. Unfortunately, at present a comprehensive coverage of available evidence is still lacking. In the present paper, we summarized results obtained from both linkage and association studies in BP. Further, we indicated new potential interesting genes, located in genome 'hot regions' for BP and being expressed in the brain. We reviewed published studies on the subject till December 2007. We precisely localized regions where positive linkage has been found, by the NCBI Map viewer (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mapview/); further, we identified genes located in interesting areas and expressed in the brain, by the Entrez gene, Unigene databases (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/) and Human Protein Reference Database (http://www.hprd.org); these genes could be of interest in future investigations. The review of association studies gave interesting results, as a number of genes seem to be definitively involved in BP, such as SLC6A4, TPH2, DRD4, SLC6A3, DAOA, DTNBP1, NRG1, DISC1 and BDNF. A number of promising genes, which received independent confirmations, and genes that have to be further investigated in BP, have been also systematically listed. In conclusion, the combination of linkage and association approaches provided a number of liability genes. Nevertheless, other approaches are required to disentangle conflicting findings, such as gene interaction analyses, interaction with psychosocial and environmental factors and, finally, endophenotype investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Serretti
- Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Abstract
The genetic basis of major depressive disorder (MDD) has been investigated extensively, but the identification of MDD genes has been hampered by conflicting results from underpowered studies. We review all MDD case-control genetic association studies published before June 2007 and perform meta-analyses for polymorphisms that had been investigated in at least three studies. The study selection and data extraction were performed in duplicate by two independent investigators. The 183 papers that met our criteria studied 393 polymorphisms in 102 genes. Twenty-two polymorphisms (6%) were investigated in at least three studies. Seven polymorphisms had been evaluated in previous meta-analyses, 5 of these had new data available. Hence, we performed meta-analyses for 20 polymorphisms in 18 genes. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Statistically significant associations were found for the APOE varepsilon2 (OR, 0.51), GNB3 825T (OR, 1.38), MTHFR 677T (OR, 1.20), SLC6A4 44 bp Ins/Del S (OR, 1.11) alleles and the SLC6A3 40 bpVNTR 9/10 genotype (OR, 2.06). To date, there is statistically significant evidence for six MDD susceptibility genes (APOE, DRD4, GNB3, MTHFR, SLC6A3 and SLC6A4).
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Bækken PM, Skorpen F, Stordal E, Zwart JA, Hagen K. Depression and anxiety in relation to catechol-O-methyltransferase Val158Met genotype in the general population: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). BMC Psychiatry 2008; 8:48. [PMID: 18578865 PMCID: PMC2453123 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-8-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2008] [Accepted: 06/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene contains a functional polymorphism, Val158Met, which has been linked to anxiety and depression, but previous results are not conclusive. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the Val158Met COMT gene polymorphism and anxiety and depression measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in the general adult population. METHODS In the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) the association between the Val158Met polymorphism and anxiety and depression was evaluated in a random sample of 5531 individuals. Two different cut off scores (> or = 8 and > or = 11) were used to identify cases with anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D), whereas controls had HADS-A <8 and HADS-D <8. RESULTS The COMT genotype distribution was similar between controls and individuals in the groups with anxiety and depression using cut-off scores of > or = 8. When utilizing the alternative cut-off score HADS-D > or = 11, Met/Met genotype and Met allele were less common among men with depression compared to the controls (genotype: p = 0.017, allele: p = 0.006). In the multivariate analysis, adjusting for age and heart disease, depression (HADS-D > or = 11) was less likely among men with the Met/Met genotype than among men with the Val/Val genotype (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18-0.76). CONCLUSION In this population-based study, no clear association between the Val158Met polymorphism and depression and anxiety was revealed. The Met/Met genotype was less likely among men with depression defined as HADS-D > or = 11, but this may be an incidental finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petter M Bækken
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Frank Skorpen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Faculty of medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Eystein Stordal
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Department of psychiatry, Hospital Namsos, Namsos, Norway
| | - John-Anker Zwart
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Norwegian National Headache Centre, Section of Neurology, St. Olavs' Hospital, Trondheim, Norway,National Centre for Spinal Disorders, St. Olavs' Hospital, Trondheim, Norway,Department of Neurology, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Hagen
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway,Norwegian National Headache Centre, Section of Neurology, St. Olavs' Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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Zhang K, Zheng Z, Gao X, Li J, Zhang F. Possible relationship between the COMT gene ValMet polymorphism and psychometric IQ in girls of the Qinba region in China. Neuropsychobiology 2008; 56:98-103. [PMID: 18182829 DOI: 10.1159/000112950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2006] [Accepted: 08/18/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene was hypothesized to have a relationship with human prefrontal cortex (PFC) function and individual cognitive abilities. The object of this study was to investigate the possible impact of genotypes of COMT Val158Met polymorphism on cognitive ability among children living in the Qinba region in China. METHOD A total of 305 children were included, 163 girls and 142 boys; both complete IQ evaluation and Val158Met genotyping results were obtained. The quantitative traits of psychometric IQ were calculated by using the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. All subjects' genotypes of COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism were identified with the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS The F test showed that the average scores (including the Full Scale IQ, Verbal Scale IQ, Performance Scale IQ and three index scores) did not significantly differ among different groups defined by Val158Met genotypes, neither in boys nor in the total group (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the average of Freedom from Distractibility score among different genotypes found in girls (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that COMT gene Val158Met polymorphism may be related to the intelligence of Chinese girls, although the results cannot withstand multiple testing. Consequently, further studies with larger samples and perfect design still need place more emphasis on the gender difference and compensation effect of dopamine activity in PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
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Anisman H, Merali Z, Stead JDH. Experiential and genetic contributions to depressive- and anxiety-like disorders: clinical and experimental studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2008; 32:1185-206. [PMID: 18423590 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2007] [Revised: 12/31/2007] [Accepted: 02/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Stressful events have been implicated in the precipitation of depression and anxiety. These disorders may evolve owing to one or more of an array of neuronal changes that occur in several brain regions. It seems likely that these stressor-provoked neurochemical alterations are moderated by genetic determinants, as well as by a constellation of experiential and environmental factors. Indeed, animal studies have shown that vulnerability to depressive-like behaviors involve mechanisms similar to those associated with human depression (e.g., altered serotonin, corticotropin releasing hormone and their receptors, growth factors), and that the effects of stressors are influenced by previous stressor experiences, particularly those encountered early in life. These stressor effects might reflect sensitization of neuronal functioning, phenotypic changes of processes that lead to neurochemical release or receptor sensitivity, or epigenetic processes that modify expression of specific genes associated with stressor reactivity. It is suggested that depression is a life-long disorder, which even after effective treatment, has a high rate of re-occurrence owing to sensitized processes or epigenetic factors that promote persistent alterations of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hymie Anisman
- Institute of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
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Baune BT, Hohoff C, Berger K, Neumann A, Mortensen S, Roehrs T, Deckert J, Arolt V, Domschke K. Association of the COMT val158met variant with antidepressant treatment response in major depression. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33:924-32. [PMID: 17522626 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In several previous biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic studies, the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as the pharmacological treatment of affective disorders. In the present study, 256 patients with major depression (DSM-IV) of Caucasian descent were genotyped for the functional COMT val158met polymorphism and characterized for clinical response to antidepressive pharmacological treatment as measured by intra-individual changes of Hamilton Depression (HAM-D-21) scores over 6 weeks. The COMT 158val/val genotype conferred a significant risk of worse response after 4-6 weeks of antidepressant treatment in patients with major depression (week 4: p=0.003; week 5: p<0.0001; week 6: p<0.0001) after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. The present results strongly point toward a negative influence of the higher activity COMT 158val/val genotype on antidepressant treatment response during the first 6 weeks of pharmacological treatment in major depression, possibly conferred by consecutively decreased dopamine availability. This finding suggests a potentially beneficial effect of an antidepressive add-on therapy with substances increasing dopamine availability individually tailored according to COMT val158met genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard T Baune
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
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