Abstract:

Objective To detect the distribution of genotype and allele of COMT gene polymorphism  rs4818 in Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia in North China and investigate the possible association between COMT gene polymorphism and schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia(TD). Methods The distribution of genotype and allele of COMT gene polymorphism rs4818 was detected in 273 schizophrenic patients with TD,114 schizophrenic patients without TD and 286 normal controls by Taqman assays.Results There were significant differences of the frequency of rs4818 G/G between schizophrenia and control groups (χ²=6.186,df=3,P=0.045)and between TD and control groups(χ²=6.081,df=3,P=0.048).The frequency of G allele  in non-TD group was lower than that in control group(χ²=4.049,df=2,P=0.044).There were no significant differences of the frequencies of rs4818 genotype and allele between TD and non-TD group(χ²=0.634,df=2,P=0.426;χ²=0.848,df=3,P=0.654). Conclusion The COMT rs4818 polymorphism may be associated with schizophrenia but not TD in the Han Chinese population.

Key words: catechol-O-methyl-transferase , gene;gene polymorphism;schizophrenia;tardive dyskinesia