The relationship between catechol-O-methyltransferase gene Val158Met (COMT) polymorphism and premorbid cannabis use in Turkish male patients with schizophrenia

In Vivo. 2015 Jan-Feb;29(1):129-32.

Abstract

Background/aim: One of the risk factors for increasing psychotic disorders is the use of cannabis. It has been shown that the inactivation of dopamine and other catecholamines causes a common polymorphism generating substantial variations in COMT enzyme activity. We aimed to understand the role of cannabis in the etiology of schizophrenia with and without pre-morbid usage.

Patients and methods: The study group consisted of 80 male patients and genotyping of COMT enzyme Val158Met gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results: It was found that the Val/Val genotype is significantly higher in patients with premorbid cannabis use (88.9%) compared to patients without pre-morbid cannabis use (68.4%). Also, the mean total positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) score seen in the Val/Val genotype group is significantly higher than the scores of the patients with the Met allele.

Conclusion: The findings from this study confirm the association between COMT Val158 Met polymorphism and pre-morbid cannabis use in causing schizophrenia.

Keywords: COMT Val158Met; Schizophrenia; cannabis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / etiology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase