ERYTHROCYTE CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN PRIMARY AFFECTIVE-DISORDER

Abstract

The activity of COMT [catechol-O-methyltransferase] in erythrocytes was determined in 184 outpatients with primary affective disorder. COMT activity was determined by a modification of the Axelrod and Cohn method with dopamine as substrate. This change resulted in an apparent 3-fold increase in the values for COMT activity; when both methods were compared, the results correlated. The values for women were not significantly lower than those for men. There was no difference between patients with affective disorder and controls. No difference was demonstrated between patients diagnosed as bipolar or unipolar. Parameters such as mood, medication and inpatient or outpatient status had no effect on COMT activity. The results of previous studies were discussed in an attempt to reconcile and different results.