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G72/G30 (DAOA) and juvenile-onset mood disorders
Lissette Gomez1, Karen Wigg, Yu Feng
1Genetics and Development Division, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Researchers investigated the D-amino-acid oxidase activator (DAOA) gene for its role in juvenile-onset mood disorders. While initial findings showed associations, they were not statistically significant after adjustments, suggesting DAOA may be a potential, but not definitive, contributor.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chromosome 13q region implicated in bipolar disorder through genome-wide and linkage studies.
- Previous research identified linkage to the 13q32 region in Hungarian families with juvenile-onset mood disorders.
- The D-amino-acid oxidase activator (DAOA) gene, located in this region, has been associated with various psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test for association between markers in the DAOA gene and juvenile-onset mood disorders.
- To investigate the potential role of DAOA in the etiology of early-onset mood disorders.
Main Methods:
- Association study conducted on 646 nuclear families with a proband diagnosed with a mood disorder before 14.9 years of age.
- Analysis of 11 genetic markers within the DAOA gene.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant associations between markers and mood disorders.
Main Results:
- Evidence of association was found for three markers (rs2391191, rs3918341, rs1935062) within the DAOA gene.
- Two of these associated markers had prior links to bipolar disorder in previous research.
- After correcting for multiple comparisons, the observed associations were no longer statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- The DAOA gene shows potential as a contributor to juvenile-onset mood disorders, supported by prior evidence.
- Despite initial associations, the current study's findings were not significant after statistical correction.
- Further research is warranted to clarify the role of DAOA in the genetic architecture of early-onset mood disorders.
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