Effects of COMT genotype on cognitive ability and functional capacity in individuals with schizophrenia

Schizophr Res. 2014 Oct;159(1):114-7. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.07.041. Epub 2014 Aug 16.

Abstract

Cognitive and functional impairments are core features of schizophrenia. This study examined the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype and its relationship to cognition and functional capacity in 188 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. We found that in a dose-response fashion, individuals with more Met alleles performed significantly better on tests of learning/memory and abstraction. The effects of COMT genotype on cognition were modest, explaining about 3% of the variance in learning/memory and abstraction. Larger studies will be needed to examine the relationships between COMT and other genes and cognitive performance and everyday functioning.

Keywords: Cognition; Executive functioning; Functioning; Genetics; Learning; Memory; Psychosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Cognition*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotic Disorders / genetics*
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology*
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Thinking

Substances

  • COMT protein, human
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase