The COMT Val158Met polymorphism moderates the association between cognitive functions and white matter microstructure in schizophrenia

Objectives: Impaired cognitive functioning is a core feature of schizophrenia. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia has been associated with white-matter (WM) abnormalities and degenerative changes of cortical myelin in the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, findings suggested a role of the COMT gene in affecting both WM and neuropsychological performances. We thus hypothesized that the COMT Val158Met genotype would affect the association between cognitive functions and WM microstructure in a sample of schizophrenic patients. Materials and methods: Seventy-eight schizophrenic patients performed the brief assessment of cognition in schizophrenia for assessment of cognitive performances. Sixty-nine patients provided a venous blood sample for genotypic analysis. WM integrity was evaluated using tract-based spatial statistics with threshold-free cluster enhancement (P
Source: Psychiatric Genetics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research