Journal article

Publication year: 2011

Pages: 51-61

Journal: Zeitschrift für psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie : Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychosomatische Medizin und Ärztliche Psychotherapie (DGPM)

Volume number: 57

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 1438-3608

eISSN: 2196-8349

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.13109/zptm.2011.57.1.51

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Abstract: 

Objectives: Reduced concentrations of dopamine in prefrontal brain structures may play a role in alexithymia. Dopamine degradation in the orbitofrontal cortex is regulated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and a functional single nucleotide polymorphism of the COMT gene, Val158Met, has been related to psychiatric illness. This study examines the association between the COMT Val158Met gene polymorphism, and alexithymia.

Methods: 120 healthy students and 120 patients with mental disorders were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism. Additionally, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was administered.

Results: COMT genotype did not show a significant correlation with the TAS-20 in either group.

Conclusions: COMT Val158Met polymorphism alone does not seem to be a major factor in alexithymia in healthy students. This is true even if patients with mental disorders covering a broader range of alexithymia are included. Thus, other genes, possibly interacting with cultural, environmental, and developmental factors, may be implicated.

Harvard Citation style: Hermes, S., Hennig, J., Stingl, M., Leichsenring, F. and Leweke, F. (2011) No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met polymorphism and alexithymia, Zeitschrift für psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie : Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychosomatische Medizin und Ärztliche Psychotherapie (DGPM), 57(1), pp. 51-61. https://doi.org/10.13109/zptm.2011.57.1.51

APA Citation style: Hermes, S., Hennig, J., Stingl, M., Leichsenring, F., & Leweke, F. (2011). No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase val158met polymorphism and alexithymia. Zeitschrift für psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie : Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychosomatische Medizin und Ärztliche Psychotherapie (DGPM). 57(1), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.13109/zptm.2011.57.1.51