The catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene and its potential association with schizophrenia: Findings from a large German case-control and family-based sample

ISSN
0920-9964
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Nieratschker, Vanessa
Frank, Josef
Muehleisen, Thomas W.
Strohmaier, Jana
Wendland, Jens R.
Treutlein, Jens
Breuer, Rene
Abou Jamra, Rami
Mattheisen, Manuel
Herms, Stefan
Schmael, Christine
Maier, Wolfgang
Noethen, Markus M.
Cichon, Sven
Rietschel, Marcella
DOI
10.1016/j.schres.2010.06.018
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between schizophrenia and 13 SNP markers in COMT. No association was observed in 631 cases, 207 nuclear families, and 776 controls. A cognitive performance phenotype (Trail Marking Test) was available for a subgroup of the patients. No association was found between the 13 markers and this phenotype. Four clinically-defined subgroups (early age at onset, negative symptoms, family history of schizophrenia, and life-time major depressive episode) were also investigated. Associations were observed for 3 of these subgroups, although none withstood correction for multiple testing. COMT does not appear to be a risk factor for schizophrenia in this population. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.