http://nnr.sagepub.com/content/27/6/491.abstract?etoc
Abstract
Background. To explore whether a polymorphism in dopamine metabolism influences the effectiveness of neurological rehabilitation and
the outcome after ischemic stroke. Methods.
The Barthel Index (BI) and the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA) were
assessed in 78 moderately affected stroke patients
(1) after they had entered a neurological inpatient
rehabilitation, (2) after 4 weeks of rehabilitation therapy, and (3) 6
months later. Polymorphisms of the gene encoding
catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) were determined. BI and RMA results were analyzed with respect to the genetic profiles of COMT.
Results. Carriers of COMT Val/Val alleles
showed better results in BI and RMA than COMT Met/Met carriers at all 3
time points. Val/Met
carriers exhibited results in between the
homozygotes, suggesting a gene–dose relationship. Altogether, BI and RMA
results
were highly correlated. Conclusion. Stroke
patients with COMT Val/Val alleles had higher motor functions and
abilities of activities of daily living even at
the beginning of the rehabilitation period. All
patient groups improved during the rehabilitation period to a similar
degree,
suggesting that physical therapy is comparably
effective in all polymorphism subtypes.
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