Mercedes Zumárraga1, Aurora Arrúe1, Nieves Basterreche2,3, Isabel Macías4, Ana Catalán5, Arantza Madrazo5, Sonia Bustamante5, María I Zamalloa1, Leire Erkoreka3,6, Estibaliz Gordo2, Ainara Arnaiz2, Olga Olivas7, Ariane Arroita6, Elena Marín8, Miguel A González-Torres3,5. 1. Departamento de Investigación Neuroquímica, Hospital de Zamudio, Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia, Osakidetza, Arteaga Auzoa 45, 48170 Zamudio, Bizkaia, Spain. 2. Unidad de Hospitalización de Corta Estancia, Hospital de Zamudio, Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia, Osakidetza, Arteaga Auzoa 45, 48170 Zamudio, Bizkaia, Spain. 3. Departamento de Psiquiatría y Psicología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. 4. Unidad de Salud Laboral, Hospital de Zamudio, Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia, Osakidetza, Arteaga Auzoa 45, 48170 Zamudio, Bizkaia, Spain. 5. Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital de Basurto, Osakidetza, Avenida de Montevideo 18, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. 6. Centro de Salud Mental de Barakaldo, Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia, Osakidetza, La Felicidad 9, 3. 48901 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain. 7. Centro de Salud Mental de Gernika, Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia, Osakidetza, San Juan 1, 48300 Gernika, Bizkaia, Spain. 8. Hospital Psiquiátrico de Bermeo, Tonpoi Bidea s/n. 48370, Bermeo, Bizkaia, Spain.
Abstract
AIM: We examined the association of COMT haplotypes and plasma metabolites of catecholamines in relation to the clinical response to antipsychotics in schizophrenic and bipolar patients. PATIENTS & METHODS: We studied 165 patients before and after four weeks of treatment, and 163 healthy controls. We assessed four COMT haplotypes and the plasma concentrations of HVA, DOPAC and MHPG. RESULTS: Bipolar patients: haplotypes are associated with age at onset and clinical evolution. In schizophrenic patients, an haplotype previously associated with increased risk, is related to better response of negative symptoms. CONCLUSION: Haplotypes would be good indicators of the clinical status and the treatment response in bipolar and schizophrenic patients. Larger studies are required to elucidate the clinical usefulness of these findings.
AIM: We examined the association of COMT haplotypes and plasma metabolites of catecholamines in relation to the clinical response to antipsychotics in schizophrenic and bipolarpatients. PATIENTS & METHODS: We studied 165 patients before and after four weeks of treatment, and 163 healthy controls. We assessed four COMT haplotypes and the plasma concentrations of HVA, DOPAC and MHPG. RESULTS:Bipolarpatients: haplotypes are associated with age at onset and clinical evolution. In schizophrenicpatients, an haplotype previously associated with increased risk, is related to better response of negative symptoms. CONCLUSION: Haplotypes would be good indicators of the clinical status and the treatment response in bipolar and schizophrenicpatients. Larger studies are required to elucidate the clinical usefulness of these findings.