Impact of catechol-o-methyltransferase polymorphisms on risperidone treatment for schizophrenia and its potential clinical significance

ObjectivesThe main aim was to study the effects of COMT polymorphisms on response of risperidone treatment for schizophrenia and investigate the correlation between memory function of schizophrenia patients and COMT polymorphisms.Design and methodsSubjects were 83 schizophrenic patients who were antipsychotic drug free at the initiation of this study. Peripheral blood samples were obtained to identify COMT polymorphisms by using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Clinical Global Impressions (CGI), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) test were used to assess the effect of risperidone treatment.ResultsThe Val/Met carriers showed a significant increase in change of P300 during treatment (P = 0.032). Association of Val/Met carriers performed better than other genotypes (P = 0.028). The mean plasma concentration of prolactin of Val/Val carriers was significantly lower (P = 0.017).ConclusionsThe COMT polymorphisms may be a potential biomarker for clinical risperidone treatment in schizophrenia.

► The Val/Met carriers showed different change of P300 during risperidone treatment. ► Association scores of Val/Met carriers perform better than other genotypes. ► The prolactin concentration of Val/Val carriers was significantly lower. ► COMT polymorphisms may be a potential biomarker for schizophrenia research.