What to watch with COMT and Schlaf?

COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) regulates the breakdown of dopamine and norepinephrine, key neurotransmitters for sleep-wake regulation. The common rs4680 (Val158Met) variant alters enzyme activity: Met carriers have slower COMT activity, leading to higher dopamine availability and potentially better sleep quality, but also greater sensitivity to stress. Val carriers break down catecholamines faster, which may be linked to lighter sleep and more nighttime awakenings. Evidence is moderate – associations exist but are not consistently replicated. Importantly, COMT alone does not determine sleep; it interacts with caffeine, stress, hormones, and other genes. A genetic test can offer clues but cannot diagnose sleep disorders. For persistent sleep issues, medical evaluation is essential. The predictive power of a single SNP is limited.