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Does environmental confounding mask pleiotropic effects of a multiple sclerosis susceptibility variant on vitamin D

Conrad O Iyegbe1, Anita Acharya2, John Lally3

  • 1Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London , London, UK.

NPJ Schizophrenia
|June 24, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A genetic marker for multiple sclerosis (MS) may also influence vitamin D levels in individuals with psychosis. This suggests a potential genetic link between MS and psychosis, mediated by vitamin D status.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Nutritional Psychiatry

Background:

  • Growing evidence suggests shared environmental and genetic factors between multiple sclerosis (MS) and schizophrenia.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is implicated in both MS and various psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine if a known MS genetic risk factor (rs703842), linked to vitamin D status in MS, also determines vitamin D status in chronic psychosis patients.
  • Investigate the genetic underpinnings of vitamin D dysregulation in psychosis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 224 individuals with chronic psychosis underwent phenotyping and biological profiling.
  • Logistic regression analyzed the association between the rs703842 gene variant and plasma vitamin D levels.
  • Environmental factors like body mass index, depression, and ethnicity were controlled for.

Main Results:

  • Suggestive evidence indicates an association between rs703842 and vitamin D status in psychosis (standardized ß=0.51, P=0.04).
  • The statistical model showed significant improvement when accounting for body mass index, depression, and ethnicity (χ²=91.7, df=2, P=1.2×10⁻²⁰).

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D dysregulation in psychosis appears to have a genetic component potentially linking to MS, beyond lifestyle factors.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate this genetic connection and its implications for treatment.

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