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05:05
The Successive Alleys Test of Anxiety in Mice and Rats
Published on: June 17, 2013
Anxiety and comorbid measures associated with PLXNA2
Naomi R Wray1, Michael R James, Steven P Mah
1Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia. naomi.wray@qimr.edu.au
Archives of General Psychiatry
|March 7, 2007
Summary
Genetic variants in the plexin A2 (PLXNA2) gene are associated with anxiety and depression. This finding suggests PLXNA2 may play a role in the genetic basis of these common psychiatric conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Reduced adult neurogenesis is linked to depression onset.
- Semaphorins and plexins are involved in nervous system development and adult neurogenesis.
- A PLXNA2 gene variant was identified in schizophrenia studies, suggesting a role in psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic association between PLXNA2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and psychological distress.
- To explore the role of PLXNA2 in common genetic liabilities across psychiatric conditions.
Main Methods:
- A genetic association study was conducted using extreme discordant and concordant siblings from a population cohort in Australia.
- Participants (n=2854 from 990 families) were genotyped, with 624 individuals diagnosed with anxiety or depression used for analysis.
- Standardized interviews and questionnaires (Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) were administered.
Main Results:
- An allelic association was found between the PLXNA2 SNP rs2478813 (and correlated SNPs) and anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and psychological distress.
- The association with anxiety remained significant after Bonferroni correction (empirical P<.001).
- The mouse ortholog of PLXNA2 is located in a region previously linked to anxiety in mice.
Conclusions:
- The PLXNA2 gene is a candidate for causal variation in anxiety.
- PLXNA2 may contribute to other psychiatric disorders due to its comorbidity with anxiety.
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