Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex depends on the catechol O-methyltransferase Val158Met gene polymorphism

P. Roussos, S. G. Giakoumaki, M. Rogdaki, S. Pavlakis, S. Frangou, P. Bitsios

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Recent evidence suggests that dopamine (DA) agonist-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) depends on basal PPI values, in a manner that suggests an inverted U-shaped relationship between PPI and prefrontal DA levels. This is the first study to examine possible genetic determinants of PPI and the catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism, the main catabolic pathway of released DA in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Method: PPI was measured in 93 healthy males presented with 75-dB and 85-dB prepulses at 60-ms and 120-ms prepulse-pulse intervals. Subjects were grouped according to their COMT status into a Val/Val, a Val/Met and a Met/Met group. Results: ANOVAs showed that at all prepulse and interval conditions, Val/Val individuals had the lowest PPI, Met/Met the highest, and Val/Met were intermediate. Conclusions: These results suggest that PPI is regulated by DA neurotransmission in the PFC and its levels depend on the COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism. These findings enhance the value of the PPI paradigm in examining individual variability of early information processing in healthy subjects and psychiatric disorders associated with changes in PFC DA activity and attentional deficits such as schizophrenia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1651-1658
Number of pages8
JournalPsychological Medicine
Volume38
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COMT
  • Healthy
  • Prepulse inhibition
  • Val158Met polymorphism

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