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Polymorphisms in glutamate decarboxylase genes: analysis in schizophrenia
Vincenzo De Luca1, Pierandrea Muglia, Mario Masellis
1Neurogenetics Section, Clarke Site, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Psychiatric Genetics
|April 20, 2004
Summary
This study investigated genetic variants in glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) genes for schizophrenia susceptibility. No significant associations were found between GAD1/GAD2 polymorphisms and schizophrenia or suicide behavior in the studied families.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Decreased glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is a key neurochemical alteration in schizophrenia, affecting GABAergic interneurons.
- Genetic factors influencing GAD expression in schizophrenia remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of genetic variants in GAD1 and GAD2 genes with schizophrenia susceptibility.
- To explore the relationship between GAD1/GAD2 polymorphisms and quantitative measures of suicide behavior in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to genotype GAD1 and GAD2 polymorphisms.
- Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT) was applied for family-based association analyses in 112 triad families.
- Case-control analysis was performed on 46 individuals.
Main Results:
- No significant association was detected between GAD1 and schizophrenia (chi2 = 0.273, P = 0.60).
- No significant association was found between GAD2 and schizophrenia (chi2 = 0, P = 1).
- No associations were observed between GAD1/GAD2 polymorphisms and quantitative measures of suicide behavior.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to examine GAD gene variants in relation to schizophrenia.
- The findings suggest that the investigated GAD1 and GAD2 polymorphisms do not contribute significantly to schizophrenia susceptibility in this cohort.
- Further research on GAD genes, potentially including schizophrenia subtypes, is warranted.