Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotypes and working memory: associations with differing cognitive operations

Abstract

Background: Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a strong candidate gene for schizophrenia and cognitive functions disrupted in this disorder. This report examines the relation of COMT genotypes to performance on a battery of working memory tests differing in the cognitive operations to be performed on the material.

Methods: A large sample of 402 healthy adults were tested on four working memory tests: Spatial Delayed Response (SDR), Word Serial Position Test (WSPT), N-back, and Letter-Number Sequencing. A subsample (n = 246) was tested on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). A saliva swab was used to obtain DNA from all participants.

Results: Letter-Number Sequencing, which requires both storage and manipulation of information, was the only working memory test that showed expected differences among COMT genotypes, with the met/met group showing the best performance and the val/val group the poorest performance. As in previous studies, the met/met group also performed better than the val/val group on the WCST.

Conclusions: COMT genotypes were not associated with performance on tests measuring simple storage, maintenance of temporal order or updating of information in working memory. Genotype differences in Letter-Number Sequencing and WCST suggest that higher-order components of processing (e.g., mental manipulation) are more closely related to this gene.