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.
Keywords: COMT; antipsychotics; bipolar disorder; haplotypes; plasma metabolites; schizophrenia; symptomatology.