COMT Polymorphism and Entacapone Efficacy

Influence of Catechol-O-methyltransferase Polymorphism on Entacapone Efficacy in Parkinson's Disease

Entacapone is an antiparkinsonian drug which block L-dopa metabolism, inhibiting the C-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme. There is an individual variability of the COMT activity determined by a genetic polymorphism. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the genetic variability influences entacapone efficacy in Parkinson's disease.

COMT protein is dependent of a single autosomal locus with two co-dominant alleles with a high activity (allele H) and a low activity (allele L) form of the enzyme. L and H allele frequency in the Caucasian population is around 50%. This is a monocentric randomized blinded cross-over study comparing acute challenge of L-dopa + placebo versus L-dopa + 200 mg entacapone, in Parkinson's disease patients with HH and LL genotypes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parkinson's disease
• wearing off

Exclusion Criteria:

• atypical parkinsonism
• neuroleptic use