DRD2 C957T polymorphism interacts with the COMT Val158Met polymorphism in human working memory ability

Schizophr Res. 2007 Feb;90(1-3):104-7. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2006.10.001. Epub 2006 Nov 17.

Abstract

The C957T polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene and the Val158Met polymorphism in the Catechol-O-Methyl-Transferase (COMT) gene affect dopamine transmission and have been found to be associated with schizophrenia. Since DRD2 in mice and the COMT gene in humans modulate working memory, we examined the relationship and possible interaction of both polymorphisms to working memory performance in 188 healthy adults. Subjects having the DRD2 C/C allele showed the poorest performance in a word serial position test. Moreover, the effect of the C957T genotype was strengthened when interaction with the COMT Val158Met polymorphism was included in the analysis. We propose that an interaction of the DRD2 C957T and COMT Val158Met may be involved in the generation of some working memory deficits in schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Methionine / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics*
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Serial Learning / physiology
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics
  • Valine / genetics*
  • Verbal Learning / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Methionine
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Valine