Background: The A-allele of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism is associated with decreased enzymatic activity and higher dopamine availability.
Methods: We studied 219 patients with PD who were free of dyskinesias at baseline and underwent thorough annual examinations.
Results: The A-allele of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was related to an increased risk of developing dyskinesias during follow-up, in a dose-dependent manner (adjusted hazard ratios for the AG and AA genotypes [compared to GG]: 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-4.06] and 2.81 [CI, 1.43-5.54], respectively).
Conclusions: This finding suggests that genetic factors may affect susceptibility to dyskinesias in PD.
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