Abstract
Background
Suicidal behavior is often correlated with other-directed aggression, which is partially
mediated by catecholaminergic neurotransmission. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
is an enzyme involved in catecholamine inactivation. In this study, we examined the
influence of a functional COMT (V158M) polymorphism on suicidal behavior and anger-related
traits.
Methods
This polymorphism was examined in 149 German suicide attempters and 328 German control
subjects. Both groups were administered self-report questionnaires for anger-related
traits.
Results
There was no overall difference in allele/genotype frequency between patients and
control subjects; however, the low-activity L-allele and genotype frequencies were
higher among violent suicide attempters. For anger-related traits, a multivariate
effect of the COMT genotype was observed after controlling for age and educational
level. LL-carriers expressed their anger more outwardly, whereas HH-carriers expressed
it more inwardly and reported more state anger, as assessed by the self-report questionnaire.
Conclusions
These findings support the hypothesis that the functional polymorphism in the COMT
gene may modify the phenotype of suicide attempts and anger-related traits. This,
however, being a novel finding, should warrant further investigation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 15,
2002
Received in revised form:
October 7,
2002
Received:
April 4,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
