Investigation of the effect of catechol-o-methyltransferase gene rs4680 polymorphism on trigeminal neuralgia susceptibility

Abstract

Research has been conducted to explore the genetic basis of trigeminal neuralgia, a persistent pain condition that impacts the trigeminal nerve. COMT is an enzyme responsible for inactivating substances and hormones containing catechol and catecholamines. Previous research has linked COMT gene polymorphism with various pain conditions, including migraine. Our research aimed to investigate the correlation between trigeminal neuralgia and the rs4680 polymorphism of the COMT gene. We conducted a research project which included 10 individuals diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and 30 healthy individuals as controls. Following collection of blood samples, we isolated DNA from the samples and then genotyping of COMT rs4680 polymorphism was performed with Real-Time PCR, using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. Among the trigeminal neuralgia patients, 2 of them exhibited the AA genotype, 6 had the AG genotype, and 2 had the GG genotype for COMT rs4680. The AG genotype was notably prevalent. No statistically significant differences in the distributions of COMT genotypes and allele frequencies were found between the experimental (patients) and the control group. However, the AG genotype appeared to be more frequent in the patient group. Moving forward, we plan to expand our study by increasing the number of patients and control subjects. This will enable us to further elucidate the potential relationship between COMT gene polymorphism and trigeminal neuralgia.

Keywords

• catechol-o-methyltransferase
• polymorphism
• trigeminal neuralgia