Studies on biogenic amine metabolizing enzymes (DBH, COMT, MAO) and pathogenesis of affective illness

Abstract

Erythrocyte COMT [catechol-O-methyltransferase] activity was determined in 31 healthy persons (16 men, 15 women) and in 34 persons with endogenous depressive syndrome (12 men, 22 women). Enzyme activity was significantly higher in healthy men than in healthy women. In the group of women with endogenous depressive syndrome COMT activity was elevated as compared with the group of healthy women (P < 0.05). This was bipolar, unipolar and undifferentiated affective disorders. High COMT activity in women with depression was apparent mainly in patients whose 1st and 2nd degree relatives revealed psychiatric disturbances, particularly affective disorders. This supports the significance of the sex factor in the genetic transmission of affective disorders, and a possible involvement of COMT activity changes in the pathogenesis of such disorders in women. No correlation was found between the changes in COMT activity and the psychopathological picture of depression or the severity of endogenous depressive syndrome.