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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alchemy on June 22, 2020, at 20:31:23
I have some indicators that my COMT gene codes for slower COMT enzyme activity than most (along with 25% of the population). Research to date says that this translates into higher dopamine and norepinephrine.
I always thought I needed more of them because I have no motivation or interests. So complicated!
Posted by undopaminergic on June 23, 2020, at 9:17:29
In reply to COMT gene, posted by alchemy on June 22, 2020, at 20:31:23
> I have some indicators that my COMT gene codes for slower COMT enzyme activity than most (along with 25% of the population). Research to date says that this translates into higher dopamine and norepinephrine.
>
> I always thought I needed more of them because I have no motivation or interests. So complicated!
>Not everything makes sense. Schizophrenics are often thought to have excess dopamine, because dopamine antagonists ameliorate psychosis. Yet they have symptoms of a *lack* of dopamine, in the form of the so-called negative symptoms, which include anhedonia and apathy.
-undopaminergic
Posted by SLS on June 23, 2020, at 12:05:27
In reply to Re: COMT gene, posted by undopaminergic on June 23, 2020, at 9:17:29
As best as I can remember, MAO resides inside the cell whereas COMT resides outside the cell and within the synaptic cleft. I don't think COMT is very important with respect to dopamine activity. Definitely check me on that.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on June 26, 2020, at 18:53:17
In reply to Re: COMT gene, posted by SLS on June 23, 2020, at 12:05:27
Yes, COMT metabolizes (or aids in the metabolism) of norepinephrine and dopamine. Some natural products are COMT inhibitors (i.e. quercetin) and this may be part of their antidepressant effects. I've read reports that COMT inhibitors have antidepressant effects (at least in animal models) but I don't think there have been any serious trials for them in humans. Entacapone (a COMT inhibitor) is used in Parkinson's to increase the effects of L-dopa. I don't know how COMT inhibitors compare to selegiline in terms of their Anti-Parkinsons' effects. I understand that low COMT is associated with more adverse reactions to marihuana (possibly by prolonging the dopamine effects). I've also read that certain variants of the COMT gene is associated with a better response to antidepressants (although I can't recall if it is the high or the low acting variants). Lower COMT is also associated with better prefrontal cortex function (on certain cognitive tests). It is interesting that this major pathways is largely unexplored in the treatment of mental health disorders. Perhaps this is because such inhibitors don't raise serotonin levels. That being said, I have never heard of a COMT inhibitor having abuse potential. I think some variants of COMT are associated with breast cancer risk. I think COMT also metabolizes (or interacts with) certain hormones.
Linkadge
Posted by undopaminergic on June 27, 2020, at 1:25:14
In reply to Re: COMT gene, posted by linkadge on June 26, 2020, at 18:53:17
> Entacapone (a COMT inhibitor) is used in Parkinson's to increase the effects of L-dopa.
>Entacapone is not centrally active. There is another one, tolcapone, that does cross the BBB. It has been evaluated for depression in some studies. It has some liver toxicity issues, but you can do liver function monitoring.
I've also read that green tea catechins can inhibit COMT.
-undopaminergic
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