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Association study between brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphisms and methamphetamine abusers in Japan
Kanako Itoh1, Kenji Hashimoto, Eiji Shimizu
1Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
Summary
Genetic factors like the BDNF gene may not influence vulnerability to methamphetamine abuse in Japan. This study found no association between specific BDNF gene variations and methamphetamine dependence in the Japanese population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Genetic factors are implicated in drug abuse vulnerability.
- Genomic scans have previously associated the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene with drug abuse risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between two specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BDNF gene and methamphetamine (MAP) abuse in a Japanese population.
- To determine if these BDNF gene variations correlate with clinical parameters in MAP abusers.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of two BDNF gene SNPs: 132C > T (exon V) and 196G > A (val66met, exon XIIIA).
- Comparison of genotype and allele frequencies between Japanese MAP abusers and control subjects.
- Analysis of clinical parameters (psychosis prognosis, relapse, poly-substance abuse) in relation to the studied SNPs.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies were observed for either the 132C > T or 196G > A (val66met) SNPs between MAP abusers and controls.
- No association was found between these BDNF gene SNPs and clinical parameters such as prognosis, relapse, or poly-substance abuse.
Conclusions:
- The studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the BDNF gene (132C > T and 196G > A) do not appear to be associated with methamphetamine abuse vulnerability in the Japanese population.
- These findings suggest that other genetic factors may play a more significant role in Japanese methamphetamine abuse.