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Published on: February 4, 2014
Genetic variants of the serotonin system and weight change during clozapine treatment
1Department of Psychiatry, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, no. 201, Shih-Pal Road, Sec. 2, 11217, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract:
Clozapine-induced weight gain may impair health and affect patient compliance. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the genetic variants of the serotonin system and clozapine-induced body weight change (BWC). Ninety-three treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were weighed monthly for 4 months during clozapine treatment. At the conclusion of treatment, patients had gained an average of 2.4 kg body weight, with BWC ranging from -17.5 to +12.9 kg. The levels of the serotonin transporter variants, serotonin 2A, serotonin 2C and serotonin 6, demonstrated no statistically significant relationship to BWC. Patients with a lower initial body mass index demonstrated a greater weight gain associated with clozapine treatment. Further exploration of the neurotransmitters implicated in the antipsychotic-induced BWC is important in order to reduce the morbidity and noncompliance associated with weight gain.
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