Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS