Is there an association between the COMT gene and P300 endophenotypes?

Eur Psychiatry. 2006 Jan;21(1):70-3. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.11.001. Epub 2006 Jan 18.

Abstract

P300 wave anomalies correlate with genetic risk for schizophrenia and constitute a plausible endophenotype for the disease. The COMT gene is thought to influence cognitive performance and to be a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Unlike two previous studies, we found no significant influence of the COMT gene on P300 amplitude or latency in 189 individuals examined. The well-supported role of the COMT gene both in dopamine catabolism as well as in prefrontal cognition makes a strong theoretical case for the influence of COMT Val158Met polymorphism on P300 endophenotypes. However, the available neurophysiologic evidence suggests that any such association, if present, must be very subtle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Event-Related Potentials, P300 / physiology*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phenotype*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase