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Association of AKT1 with schizophrenia confirmed in a Japanese population

Masashi Ikeda1, Nakao Iwata, Tatsuyo Suzuki

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.

Biological Psychiatry
|November 4, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Genetic variations in the V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homologue 1 (AKT1) gene may increase schizophrenia risk. This study found a significant association between AKT1 and schizophrenia in the Japanese population.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • The V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homologue 1 (AKT1) gene is implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
  • Previous studies indicated reduced AKT1 protein levels and significant AKT1 haplotype associations in schizophrenia patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To replicate and validate the association between AKT1 gene variations and schizophrenia in a Japanese case-control sample.
  • To investigate the role of AKT1 as a potential susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 507 Japanese schizophrenia patients and 437 healthy controls.
  • Genotyping of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the AKT1 gene, including five from a previous study and one additional SNP.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was observed with a specific SNP (SNP5), distinct from the SNP identified in prior research.
  • Haplotypes constructed using SNP5 also showed statistical significance, suggesting a role in schizophrenia susceptibility.
  • Complex linkage disequilibrium patterns around SNP5 may contribute to the observed association.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the hypothesis that AKT1 is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in the Japanese population.
  • Further fine-scale linkage disequilibrium mapping is necessary to pinpoint the exact causal variants within the AKT1 gene.

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