Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
11:31
Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Association study of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene polymorphisms in panic disorder
Eduard Maron1, Innar Tõru, Anne Must
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Tartu, Raja 31, Tartu 50417, Estonia. Eduard.Maron@kliinikum.ee
Neuroscience Letters
|November 25, 2006
Summary
Genetic variations in the tryptophan hydroxylase gene 2 (TPH2) were studied for their link to panic disorder (PD). While no overall association was found, a specific TPH2 gene variant showed a connection in female patients with pure panic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Serotonin (5-HT) synthesis rate is implicated in panic disorder.
- Tryptophan hydroxylase gene isoform 2 (TPH2) is the primary regulator of brain 5-HT synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between TPH2 gene polymorphisms (rs1386494 and rs1386483) and panic disorder phenotypes.
- To explore potential gender-specific effects of TPH2 variants in panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- A case-control genetic association study was conducted.
- The study included 213 panic disorder patients and 303 healthy controls.
- Allelic and genotypic analyses were performed for two TPH2 SNPs.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between the studied TPH2 SNPs and panic disorder in the total sample.
- A significant association was observed between the rs1386494 SNP and pure panic disorder in female patients.
Conclusions:
- The studied TPH2 polymorphisms may not be robustly associated with general panic disorder predisposition.
- A potential gender-specific role for TPH2 gene variants in panic disorder pathogenesis is suggested.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
01:29Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...