275 | id == 275
275 | category_id == 4
275 | category_order == 1
275 | category_name == Brain
275 | category_color == #C47AC0
275 | slug == COMT-schizophrenia
275 | title == Can This Gene Influence Your Risk of Schizophrenia (COMT)?
275 | meta_description == The COMT gene breaks down neurotransmitters and is associated with schizophrenia. Learn more here!
275 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The COMT gene encodes a protein that breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Certain variants have been associated with schizophrenia. Read on to learn where your COMT gene stands!</strong></p>
275 | overall_score_text == Your Schizophrenia Risk Score (based on COMT Gene)
275 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/COMT--Schizophrenia.jpg
275 | author_id == 12
275 | author_name == Carlos Tello
275 | author_title == PhD
275 | author_order == 55
275 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/CarlosTello.webp
275 | author_intro == <p><strong>Carlos received his PhD and MS from the Universidad de Sevilla.</strong></p>    <p>Carlos spent 9 years in the laboratory investigating mineral transport in plants. He then started working as a freelancer, mainly in science writing, editing, and consulting. Carlos is passionate about learning the mechanisms behind biological processes and communicating science to both academic and non-academic audiences. He strongly believes that scientific literacy is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid falling for scams.</p>
275 | author_social_media_name == linkedin
275 | author_social_media_icon == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/social-icon/linkedin.png
275 | author_social_order == 1
275 | author_social_link == https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-tello-lacal-b946b4a7/
275 | reviewer_id == 14
275 | reviewer_name == Shany Lahan
275 | reviewer_title == MS (Neuroscience)
275 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
275 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
275 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
275 | publish_date == 2020
275 | publish_date == 8
275 | publish_date == 17
275 | avg_rating == 5.0
275 | tags_id == 621
275 | tags_name == Cannabis
275 | tags_id == 65
275 | tags_name == COMT Gene
275 | tags_id == 51
275 | tags_name == Dopamine
275 | tags_id == 622
275 | tags_name == Methamphetamine
275 | tags_id == 620
275 | tags_name == Psychosis
275 | tags_id == 619
275 | tags_name == Schizophrenia
275 | tags_id == 50
275 | tags_name == Stress
275 | permissions_favorite == False
275 | permissions_rate == False
275 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The information in this post is presented for educational purposes only, and should not be used to replace standard medical care. If you or your loved ones have symptoms of schizophrenia, you should immediately report to a physician.</span></em></p> <h2><strong>What Is the <em>COMT </em>Gene?</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="../../../gene/comt/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for an enzyme called </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">catechol-o-methyltransferase</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (also called COMT). As its name implies, COMT transfers a methyl group to catechol-containing compounds. COMT uses </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/s-adenosyl-l-methionine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SAM-e</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as its methyl donor. Therefore, having either too little SAM-e, or too much S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) &mdash; which is formed when SAM-e loses its methyl group &mdash; results in inhibition of COMT [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8576124/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12371153/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The main function of COMT is to help break down </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">catecholamines</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a family of neurotransmitters that includes </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/dopamine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dopamine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/norepinephrine-stress-hormone/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">norepinephrine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (also known as </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/norepinephrine-stress-hormone/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">noradrenaline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), and epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16878403/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT is widely distributed in organs such as the brain, adrenal glands, liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and mammary glands [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8027527/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8055944/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The <em>COMT </em>gene encodes an enzyme of the nervous system that breaks down the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline by transferring a methyl group to them, from SAM-e.</span></p> <h3><strong>Dopamine Neurotransmission and Inactivation by COMT</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in multiple cognitive and behavioral processes such as executive function, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/21-drugs-increase-motivation/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">motivation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, reward, and movement control. Outside the brain, it helps relax the blood vessels, increase urine output, reduce gastrointestinal motility and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/insulin-101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">insulin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> production, and regulate immune cell activity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15152198/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30446950/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Importantly, dopamine must be quickly inactivated to terminate the signal. Failing to do so is associated with schizophrenia and other mental problems. In most parts of the brain, this is achieved through dopamine transporters that promote its removal. </span><strong>In the prefrontal cortex, where dopamine transporters are much less abundant, dopamine breakdown by COMT accounts for over 60% of dopamine inactivation</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6793120/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6672678/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in multiple cognitive, behavioral, and physiological processes. COMT inactivates dopamine to terminate its transmission.</span></p> <h3><strong>Dopamine and Schizophrenia</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder mainly characterized by &lsquo;psychosis&rsquo; (break from reality), which typically consists of hallucinations and delusions. Other symptoms of schizophrenia include disorganized thinking and behavior, emotional blunting, and cognitive impairment. Excessive dopamine and reduced </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/glutamate/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">glutamate</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> transmission are believed to contribute to the symptoms of this condition [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4902122/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Altered dopamine transmission is associated with schizophrenia.</span></p> <h2><strong>Your COMT Results for Schizophrenia</strong></h2> <p>*5053690976508336*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>SNP Summary and Table</strong></h3> <p><strong>Primary SNP: </strong><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><strong>rs4680</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Increased risk of schizophrenia in White people</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Reduced risk of schizophrenia.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">41% of the world population has genotype &lsquo;GG&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In people with European ancestry, both alleles are equally frequent</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Important SNPs&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><strong>rs737865</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Normal risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Reduced risk of schizophrenia and milder symptoms&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">60% of the world population has genotype &lsquo;AA&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant is slightly more common in European descendents</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><strong>rs4633</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Normal risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased risk of schizophrenia but better response to treatment</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The genotype distribution is very similar to that of rs4680 for all ethnicities</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><strong>rs2020917&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Normal risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Reduced risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The genotype distribution is very similar to that of rs737865 for all ethnicities</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><strong>rs165774&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Increased risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Reduced risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Only 5% of the world population has genotype &lsquo;AA&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Allele &lsquo;A&rsquo; is slightly more common in people of European ancestry (10% of &lsquo;AA&rsquo;)</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>COMT </em></strong><strong>rs9332377&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Normal risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased risk of schizophrenia</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Worldwide, 70% of the population has &lsquo;CC&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &lsquo;T&rsquo; variant is even less common in people of European ancestry</span></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>*8661449232213612*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Influence of <em>COMT </em>Variants on Schizophrenia</strong></h2> <h3><strong>Rs4680</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By far, </span><a href="../../../snp/rs4680/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs4680</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is the most widely-studied </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene variant. Its minor &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele encodes a less-stable protein that results in reduced COMT levels and activity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7703232/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10581325/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The major &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant at this polymorphism has been associated with a slightly increased incidence of schizophrenia in White people but not in Asian people, as well as with worse response to treatment. In turn, the &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant predicts more aggressive behavior in people with this condition and has been weakly associated with an earlier onset [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27020768/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12611827/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4886669/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4412346/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28608575/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">A widely-investigated <em>COMT </em>underactive variant is associated with increased rates of schizophrenia in White people.</span></p> <h3><strong>Other Variants</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The minor &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant of </span><a href="../../../snp/rs737865/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs737865</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has been associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia and severity of symptoms in South African and Brazilian populations. Studies failed to link this polymorphism to changes in </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression, protein levels, and enzyme activity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22705295/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7111404/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30218069/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1182110/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The minor &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele of </span><a href="../../../snp/rs4633/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs4633</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> increases </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression. This variant is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia but also better response to treatment [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6115408/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15505638/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17363961/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19159868/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19290789/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26724569/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The minor &lsquo;T&rsquo; allele of </span><a href="../../../snp/rs2020917/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs2020917</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> increases </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression and, possibly, activity. This variant was associated with a reduced risk of schizophrenia in a South African study [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23351565/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22705295/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The minor &lsquo;A&rsquo; allele of </span><a href="../../../snp/rs165774/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs165774</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> increases </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene expression, but encodes a COMT protein with reduced activity. The major variant at this polymorphism has been associated with schizophrenia [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4748386/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20934310/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5722007/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The minor &lsquo;T&rsquo; variant of </span><a href="../../../snp/rs9332377/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs9332377</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> was associated with schizophrenia in an Indian study [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3831060/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, the minor &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant of </span><a href="../../../snp/rs4818/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs4818</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes a protein with reduced activity. This variant has been associated with a reduced risk of treatment resistance in schizophrenic women [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19699472/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6037851/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Several <em>COMT </em>variants have been associated with changes in the incidence and severity of schizophrenia.</span></p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Prevent Schizophrenia</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <p>*9421879213850044*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Reducing Stress</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with underactive COMT variants (often called &lsquo;worriers&rsquo;) have excessive levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine in response to </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This reduces their ability to adapt to stressful situations and worsens their cognitive performance in these conditions [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17008817/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chronic stress damages mental health and can cause different types of psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. In two studies from Belgium and the Netherlands, carriers of the &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant at rs4680 had an increased risk of developing psychosis from psychological stress [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17525974/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6493901/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conversely, the incidence and severity of psychotic experiences from traumatic stress seems to be higher in carriers of the &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant at this polymorphism [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3818212/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17640440/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23954148/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We recommend addressing sources of stress in your life, either by taking up a stress-busting hobby (such as </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-yoga/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">yoga</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/meditation/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">meditation</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) or seeking professional help.</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Stress increases the risk of several psychiatric disorders. COMT activity influences stress susceptibility and risk of psychosis from stressful conditions.</span></p> <h4><strong>Avoiding Recreational Drugs</strong></h4> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-6-unique-super-effective-ways-counteract-negative-performance-effects-cannabismarijuana/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><strong>Cannabis</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">is one of the most commonly-used recreational drugs. Although its active compound </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/tetrahydrocannabinol-thc/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">THC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can have some medical applications (especially in the treatment of spasms from </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/causes-symptoms-diagnosis-risk-factors-of-multiple-sclerosis/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">multiple sclerosis</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and neuropathic pain), high and repeated doses can cause psychosis, increased anxiety, delayed recall time, and impaired mental performance [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22791906/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4666747/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15173844/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The major &lsquo;G&rsquo; variant of rs4680 has been associated with increased risk, earlier onset, and worse symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia from cannabis use. However, carriers of the &lsquo;A&rsquo; variant are more prone to a lifetime use of cannabis [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15866551/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21231925/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20493536/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23445265/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18808401/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27052366/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310591/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><strong>Methamphetamine </strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">is a potent stimulant that is most often used as a recreational drug and, less commonly, as a treatment for ADHD and obesity. Its use is strongly linked to schizophrenia, with ~13% of abusers experiencing psychotic symptoms [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21934638/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an Iranian study, psychosis caused by methamphetamine dependence was associated with increased </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">expression. This suggests that people with active </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">COMT </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">variants may be more prone to methamphetamine-induced psychosis [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27753212/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cannabis and methamphetamine are two recreational drugs that may cause psychotic symptoms when repeatedly used. People with active <em>COMT </em>variants may be at increased risk of psychosis from their use.</span></p>
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275 | content_snp_table_8661449232213612_blur == True
275 | content_snp_table_8661449232213612_hidden == False
275 | content_learn_more_5053690976508336_key == 5053690976508336
275 | content_learn_more_5053690976508336_blur == True
275 | content_learn_more_5053690976508336_hidden == False
275 | content_learn_more_5053690976508336_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your COMT gene is associated with a somewhat increased risk of schizophrenia. Reducing stress and staying away from recreational drugs can help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
275 | content_recommendation_9421879213850044_key == 9421879213850044
275 | content_recommendation_9421879213850044_blur == True
275 | content_recommendation_9421879213850044_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs165774,rs737865,rs4633,rs4818,rs9332377,rs2020917,rs4680
rsStatus = rs165774,COMT,chr22,19965038,G,A,,,34,17,HET
rsStatus = rs737865,COMT,chr22,19942598,A,G,T,,17,12,HET
rsStatus = rs4633,COMT,chr22,19962712,C,T,,,21,13,HET
rsStatus = rs4818,COMT,chr22,19963684,C,G,T,,18,13,HET
rsStatus = rs9332377,ARVCF,chr22,19968169,C,A,T,,53,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2020917,COMT,chr22,19941361,C,T,,,24,16,HET
rsStatus = rs165774,COMT,chr22,19965038,G,A,,,34,17,HET
rsStatus = rs737865,COMT,chr22,19942598,A,G,T,,17,12,HET
rsStatus = rs4633,COMT,chr22,19962712,C,T,,,21,13,HET
rsStatus = rs4818,COMT,chr22,19963684,C,G,T,,18,13,HET
rsStatus = rs9332377,ARVCF,chr22,19968169,C,A,T,,53,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs2020917,COMT,chr22,19941361,C,T,,,24,16,HET
rsStatus = 34,THSD7A,chr7,11553866,C,A,G,T,19,0,Normal
rsStatus = 17,THSD7A,chr7,11544172,T,A,G,,43,0,Normal
rsStatus = 17,THSD7A,chr7,11544172,T,A,G,,43,0,Normal
rsStatus = 12,LOC105375153,chr7,11297537,A,C,,,32,0,Normal
rsStatus = 21,THSD7A,chr7,11557307,G,A,C,,18,9,HET
rsStatus = 13,LOC105375153,chr7,11348064,G,C,,,25,1,HET
rsStatus = 18,THSD7A,chr7,11557848,A,G,T,,12,19,HET
rsStatus = 13,LOC105375153,chr7,11348064,G,C,,,25,1,HET
rsStatus = 53,THSD7A,chr7,11537998,C,T,,,40,0,Normal
rsStatus = 24,THSD7A,chr7,11558592,G,A,C,,26,0,Normal
rsStatus = 16,THSD7A,chr7,11563272,T,C,,,19,14,HET
