Association study of single nucleotide polymorphism rs165599 of COMT gene, with schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder in the south-west of Iran

Linkage studies and epidemiological findings indicate that some possible genes in schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar mood disorder (BPD) are common. Numerous evidences for linkage of two diseases on chromosome 22 have been found. These findings suggest that one or more genes in the 22q11.21 region may be involved in the development of both disorders. In the present case-control study, association between the mentioned disorders and a genetic polymorphism (rs165599) of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT, OMIM: 116790) was studied. Here 100 BPD patients, 100 SCZ patients, and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. The samples were matched in terms of gender and ethnicity. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant association this polymorphism and risk of SCZ. The AG (OR=7.41, 95% CI: 3.21-17.1, P<0.001) and GG genotypes (OR=13.9, 95% CI: 5.61-34.4, P<0.001) increased the risk of SCZ compared with the GG genotypes. The AG (OR=14.3, 95% CI: 4.16-49.4, P<0.001) and AA genotypes (OR=54.2, 95% CI: 15.3-191, P<0.001) significantly associated with the risk of BPD. The risk of SCZ (chi(2)=37.4, P<0.001) and BPD (chi(2)=66.2, P<0.001) significantly increased as a function of numbers of the A allele. The present study revealed that this polymorphism associated with risks of SCZ, and BPD.