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CAG repeat length in the hKCa3 gene and symptom dimensions in schizophrenia
1Division of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.
Background:
Long CAG repeats in the hKCa3 potassium channel gene have been associated with schizophrenia. We sought evidence for associations between this polymorphism and aspects of the schizophrenia phenotype.
Methods:
Associations were investigated between CAG repeat length and gender, age of illness onset, and psychotic symptom dimensions in 203 unrelated individuals with DSM-IIIR schizophrenia.
Results:
No association was found between CAG repeat length and gender or age of onset. Long CAG repeats were associated with higher negative symptom dimension scores.
Conclusions:
This study provides preliminary evidence that genetic liability to negative symptoms in schizophrenia may be partly mediated through the hKCa3 gene.