The COMT Val158Met polymorphism and temporal lobe morphometry in healthy adults

Psychiatry Res. 2007 Jul 15;155(2):173-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2007.01.005. Epub 2007 May 23.

Abstract

We examined the relationship between COMT Val158Met genotype and temporal lobe volumes, including the caudate as a control region. Thirty-one healthy subjects completed 1.5T brain MRI and genotyping. After controlling for demographics, Val158 allele homozygotes exhibited significantly smaller temporal lobe and hippocampal volumes, with a trend for smaller amygdala volumes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amygdala / anatomy & histology
  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / genetics*
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase / metabolism
  • Caudate Nucleus / anatomy & histology
  • Caudate Nucleus / enzymology
  • Caudate Nucleus / metabolism
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Methionine / genetics
  • Methionine / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Temporal Lobe / anatomy & histology*
  • Temporal Lobe / enzymology
  • Temporal Lobe / metabolism
  • Valine / genetics
  • Valine / metabolism

Substances

  • Methionine
  • Catechol O-Methyltransferase
  • Valine