Genetic association of catechol-O-methyltransferase val(158)met polymorphism in Saudi schizophrenia patients
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder strongly associated with dopamine dysregulation. Catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) is a candidate gene for schizophrenia that encodes an enzyme involved in the metabolic inactivation of dopamine. The COMT Val158Met polymorphism has been associated with schizophrenia and has significant inter- and intra-ethnic variations. We examined a possible association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and schizophrenia in Saudis, taking into account gender and functional symptoms.