Influence of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism on the Correlation between Alexithymia and Hypervigilance to Pain
Influence of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism on the Correlation between Alexithymia and Hypervigilance to Pain
The psychological characteristic of having difficulty expressing emotions, known as alexithymia, is associated with hypervigilance to pain and is considered one of the risk factors for chronic pain. The correlation between alexithymia and hypervigilance to pain can be observed even in healthy individuals. However, the factors influencing this correlation remain unknown. We explored the dopamine system, which is known to be involved in emotion and pain. The dopamine-degrading enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) has a genetic polymorphism known to influence dopamine metabolism in the prefrontal cortex. COMT polymorphism reportedly affects various aspects of pain and increases pain sensitivity in Met allele carriers. Therefore, we investigated whether the correlation between alexithymia and hypervigilance to pain is influenced by COMT polymorphism in healthy individuals. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between the “difficulty describing feelings” of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the “attention to changes in pain” of the pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire in COMT Met carriers but not in Val/Val individuals. This finding suggests that the correlation between alexithymia and hypervigilance to pain is influenced by COMT polymorphism.
catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphism; alexithymia; hypervigilance to pain; 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale; pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire, Polymorphism, Genetic, Humans, Pain, Affective Symptoms, Anxiety, Catechol O-Methyltransferase, Article
catechol-O-methyltransferase gene polymorphism; alexithymia; hypervigilance to pain; 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale; pain vigilance and awareness questionnaire, Polymorphism, Genetic, Humans, Pain, Affective Symptoms, Anxiety, Catechol O-Methyltransferase, Article
11 Research products, page 1 of 2
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsAmongTopNSimilarDocuments
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2022IsRelatedTo
- 2022IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
chevron_left - 1
- 2
chevron_right
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).2 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Average influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Average impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Average
