Are TMEM genes potential candidate genes for panic disorder?

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Panic disorder (PD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition with a complex genetic basis.
• Chromosome 17q11.2-q12 has been implicated as a potential susceptibility region for PD.
• Transmembrane genes TMEM98 and TMEM132E are located within this candidate region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TMEM98 and TMEM132E and panic disorder.
• To explore the potential contribution of these genes to PD susceptibility.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of three specific SNPs (rs887231, rs887230, rs4795942) in TMEM132E and potentially TMEM98.
• Case-control study design involving patients and controls from Denmark, Germany, and the Faroe Islands.
• Statistical analysis to determine significant associations between SNPs and PD.

Main Results:

• A nominal significant association was found between SNPs in TMEM132E and PD, particularly in the Danish cohort.
• No significant associations were observed between TMEM98 and panic disorder.
• The identified associations suggest a potential moderate contribution of TMEM132E to PD risk.

Conclusions:

• The gene TMEM132E may be a moderate risk factor for developing panic disorder.
• These findings warrant further investigation into the role of TMEM132E in the pathophysiology of PD.
• TMEM98 does not appear to be significantly associated with PD in this study population.