COMT Test – V158M

Two versions of this enzyme are made from the gene. The longer form, called membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MB-COMT), is chiefly produced by nerve cells in the brain. Other tissues, including the liver, kidneys, and blood, produce a shorter form of the enzyme called soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (S-COMT). This form of the enzyme helps control the levels of certain hormones. The COMT test gene helps get rid of excess neurotransmitters and estrogens. A homozygous mutation of the V158M allele is associated with a 40% reduction in COMT activity. Patients receiving estrogen therapy should pay attention to this gene especially if they have a family history of estrogen related cancers.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD!

Comes with physician recommendations and results interpretation. After you get your results, do you know what to do? Our physician recommendations will tell you what to take and what to avoid, based on your results. Even if you have a doctor, our recommendations may help your doctor as well, as it will give valuable information on supplements you may take based on your mutations.

A homozygous mutation may also affect the way patients process 5-L-Methylfolate, therefore it is very important to have a COMT test in addition to MTHFR.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INFORMATION

(Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) – The COMT gene codes for the essential COMT enzyme that is involved in the inactivation of catecholamines and catecholestrogens. Scientific research has demonstrated that a common mutation in the COMT locus results in the conversion of the amino acid valine to methionine at position 158, and causes a dramatic reduction in the enzyme’s ability to metabolize these neurotransmitters and catecholestrogens. The enzyme is notably active in the prefrontal cortex, or PFC; the area of the brain that gives rise to what we perceive as our personality, emotions, behavior inhibition, abstract thinking, and short-term memory. Val (G) allele carriers have higher enzyme activity resulting in greater stress resiliency and lower neurotransmitter levels, while Met (A) allele carriers have lower enzyme activity resulting in reduced stress resiliency and higher neurotransmitter levels, and heterozygous Val/Met allele carriers exhibit an intermediate enzyme activity.

MENTAL HEALTH

Polymorphisms in the COMT gene analyzed in our COMT test have been implicated in association with various mental health disorders through the resulting changes in neurotransmitter levels. Disorders that may be associated with this gene variant in some populations include drug abuse, alcohol abuse, severity of schizophrenic symptoms, obsessive compulsive disorder in men, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar affective disorder.

PAIN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND NEUROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The COMT gene polymorphisms have also been linked to pain sensitivity. It has been suggested that a reduction in neurotransmitter inactivation, such as is seen with the Met/Met genotype, results in higher levels of neurotransmitter, leading to chronic stimulation of the neurotransmitter receptors. This overstimulation may result in less endogenous opioids being produced that help to provide pain relief and euphoria. Therefore, Met/Met allele carriers perceive a higher level of pain, while Val/Val carriers have the greatest resistance to pain. Interestingly though, studies have shown that Met/Met allele carriers require less pain killers to achieve pain relief, possibly due to the increase in µ-opioid receptors seen with this genotype, while Val/Val allele carriers require the most medication for pain management. The COMT gene also has been shown to have an effect on neurotransmitter therapy in Parkinson’s disease treatment. Commonly COMT inhibitors are utilized in Parkinson’s treatment to augment and prolong neurotransmitter treatment. COMT gene polymorphisms affect the bioavailability of these medications, yielding an enhanced effect in the Val/Val allele carriers as compared to Met/Met allele carriers.

We provide free shipping to any country in the world with our COMT test.

*Instructions for purchases from New York or Maryland.

We ship from California and below you will find an estimate of when to expect delivery of the kits by free shipping (first class mail). Add one to two days for processing:

Orders from the West Coast: 3 for 4 days

Orders from the Mid West: 4 to 6 days

Orders from the East Coast: 6 to 7 days

International orders: 1 1/2 to 2 weeks

Disclaimer: This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was developed for informational and entertainment purposes only and not meant for diagnosis or treatment of any disease.