The role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in hippocampal function

Thesis

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) metabolises catechol-containing compounds, including dopamine. The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether COMT is involved in hippocampal function. This thesis also explored the role of functional polymorphisms within the COMT gene in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-related phenotypes.

First, as part of a study investigating the role of COMT in schizophrenia, human hippocampal COMT mRNA levels were shown to be neither alt...

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Authors: Laatikainen, L

• Publication date: 2010
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: Oxford University, UK
• Language: English
• Keywords: hippocampus; dopamine; COMT; noradrenaline; schizophrenia; Catechol-O-methyltransferase
• Subjects: Memory; Experimental psychology; Neuroscience; Cognition; Biology (medical sciences); Anxiety disorders; Stress; Psychopharmacology; Neurogenetics; Medical sciences; Genetics (medical sciences); Learning; Pharmacology; Molecular neuropathology; Neuropsychology; Psychiatry; Bipolar disorder; Cognitive therapy; Cognitive Neuroscience; Behavioural Neuroscience