Pharmacogenetics and genomics
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Pharmacogenet. Genomics · Sep 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialThe association of functional catechol-O-methyltransferase haplotypes with risk of Parkinson's disease, levodopa treatment response, and complications.
Differences in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity and genotype may determine individual variations in the therapeutic response to levodopa or Parkinson's disease (PD) susceptibility. The role of functional COMT haplotypes in PD susceptibility and treatment response has not been examined. ⋯ Our study showed a possible association of functional COMT haplotypes with the risk of PD. Both nonsynonymous and synonymous SNPs within functional COMT haplotype blocks may be more relevant than individual SNPs in conferring PD susceptibility. The doses of levodopa treatment can be influenced by specific COMT haplotypes and this may be useful in instituting individualized therapy for PD patients.