Investigation of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met Polymorphism in Chronic Schizophrenia Diagnosed Individuals in Manisa

Abstract

In our study, we aimed to investigate the Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism in individuals with chronic schizophrenia in
Manisa. The study was conducted with 100 healthy individuals who were diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia and 100 healthy controls that did not have
any psychiatric disorders in their family. The patient group was composed of individuals who were treated in Manisa Psychiatric Diseases Hospital and
diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. DNA isolation for each individual in the sample group followed by high or low activity allele associated with the
Val158Met polymorphism in the COMT gene was determined using the PCR-RFLP method. 64% of individuals were male; 36% were female. When the
genotypes of individuals in the patient group were evaluated without regard to gender, it was seen that 44% were from LL genotypes, 10% from HH
genotypes and 46% from HL genotypes. Allele frequencies calculated in Hardy Weinberg Equation. As a result of the patient group, the Val allele
frequency (high active frequency) was detected 33%, the Met allele frequency (low active frequency) was detected 67%; although the control group had
a 67% frequency of the Val allele and 33% of the Met allele frequency. According to the genotype findings, the cross-tabulation and Chi-square test results
were found to be the effect of COMT Gene Val158Met polymorphism on schizophrenia when p = 0.000 for HH and LL alleles. Our results are originally
given as regional first in Manisa.