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Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms are associated with multiple pain-evoking stimuli.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Diatchenko, L; Nackley, AG; Slade, GD; Bhalang, K; Belfer, I; Max, MB; Goldman, D; Maixner, W
Published in: Pain
December 5, 2006

Variations in the gene encoding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are linked to individual differences in pain sensitivity. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in codon 158 (val(158)met), which affects COMT protein stability, has been associated with the human experience of pain. We recently demonstrated that three common COMT haplotypes, which affect the efficiency of COMT translation, are strongly associated with a global measure of pain sensitivity derived from individuals' responses to noxious thermal, ischemic, and pressure stimuli. Specific haplotypes were associated with low (LPS), average (APS), or high (HPS) pain sensitivity. Although these haplotypes included the val(158)met SNP, a significant association with val(158)met variants was not observed. In the present study, we examined the association between COMT genotype and specific pain-evoking stimuli. Threshold and tolerance to thermal, ischemic, and mechanical stimuli, as well as temporal summation to heat pain, were determined. LPS/LPS homozygotes had the least, APS/APS homozygotes had average, and APS/HPS heterozygotes had the greatest pain responsiveness. Associations were strongest for measures of thermal pain. However, the rate of temporal summation of heat pain did not differ between haplotype combinations. In contrast, the val(158)met genotype was associated with the rate of temporal summation of heat pain, but not with the other pain measures. This suggests that the val(158)met SNP plays a primary role in variation in temporal summation of pain, but that other SNPs of the COMT haplotype exert a greater influence on resting nociceptive sensitivity. Here, we propose a mechanism whereby these two genetic polymorphisms differentially affect pain perception.

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Published In

Pain

DOI

EISSN

1872-6623

Publication Date

December 5, 2006

Volume

125

Issue

3

Start / End Page

216 / 224

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Prevalence
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Pain Threshold
  • Pain
  • Humans
  • Genetic Testing
 

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Diatchenko, L., Nackley, A. G., Slade, G. D., Bhalang, K., Belfer, I., Max, M. B., … Maixner, W. (2006). Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms are associated with multiple pain-evoking stimuli. Pain, 125(3), 216–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2006.05.024
Diatchenko, Luda, Andrea G. Nackley, Gary D. Slade, Kanokporn Bhalang, Inna Belfer, Mitchell B. Max, David Goldman, and William Maixner. “Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms are associated with multiple pain-evoking stimuli.Pain 125, no. 3 (December 5, 2006): 216–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2006.05.024.
Diatchenko L, Nackley AG, Slade GD, Bhalang K, Belfer I, Max MB, et al. Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms are associated with multiple pain-evoking stimuli. Pain. 2006 Dec 5;125(3):216–24.
Diatchenko, Luda, et al. “Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms are associated with multiple pain-evoking stimuli.Pain, vol. 125, no. 3, Dec. 2006, pp. 216–24. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.05.024.
Diatchenko L, Nackley AG, Slade GD, Bhalang K, Belfer I, Max MB, Goldman D, Maixner W. Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphisms are associated with multiple pain-evoking stimuli. Pain. 2006 Dec 5;125(3):216–224.

Published In

Pain

DOI

EISSN

1872-6623

Publication Date

December 5, 2006

Volume

125

Issue

3

Start / End Page

216 / 224

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Assessment
  • Prevalence
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Pain Threshold
  • Pain
  • Humans
  • Genetic Testing