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Evidence that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism moderates sensitivity to stress in psychosis: An experience‐sampling study
Author(s) -
van Winkel Ruud,
Henquet Cécile,
Rosa Araceli,
Papiol Sergi,
Faňanás Lourdes,
De Hert Marc,
Peuskens Jozef,
van Os Jim,
MyinGermeys Inez
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.30559
Subject(s) - psychosis , catechol o methyl transferase , experience sampling method , psychology , clinical psychology , context (archaeology) , population , polymorphism (computer science) , psychiatry , genotype , medicine , genetics , gene , social psychology , paleontology , environmental health , biology
Gene–environment interactions involving the catechol‐ O ‐methyltransferase Val 158 Met polymorphism (COMT Val158Met ) have been implicated in the causation of psychosis. Evidence from general population studies suggests that Met/Met subjects are sensitive to stress, a trait associated with psychosis. We hypothesized that the Met allele would moderate the effects of stress on negative affect (NA) in controls, and on NA and psychosis in patients with a psychotic disorder. Thirty‐one patients with a psychotic disorder and comorbid cannabis misuse and 25 healthy cannabis users were studied with the experience sampling method (ESM), a structured diary technique assessing current context and emotional and psychotic experiences in daily life. A significant interaction between COMT Val158Met genotype and ESM stress in the model of NA was found for patients (interaction χ 2 = 7.4, P = 0.02), but not for controls (interaction χ 2 = 3.8, P = 0.15). In the model of ESM psychosis, a significant interaction between COMT Val158Met genotype and ESM stress was also apparent (interaction χ 2 = 11.6, P < 0.01), with Met/Met patients showing the largest increase in psychotic experiences as well as NA in reaction to ESM stress. The findings suggest that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism moderates affective and psychotic responses to stress in patients with psychosis, providing evidence for gene–environment interaction mechanisms in the formation of psychotic symptoms. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.