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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Depressive symptoms are associated with a functional polymorphism in a miR-433 binding site in the FGF20 gene
Karen M Jiménez1, Angela J Pereira-Morales1, Ana Adan2,3
1Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Genetics, Biomedical Sciences Research Group, School of Medicine, Universidad Antonio Nariño, 110231, Bogotá, Colombia.
Abstract:
Genetic studies of major depressive disorder and its associated endophenotypes are useful for the identification of candidate genes. In recent years, variations in non-coding RNA genes, such as miRNAs, have been explored as novel candidates for psychiatric disorders and related endophenotypes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible association between a functional polymorphism (rs12720208) in the FGF20 gene, which regulates its modulation by miR-433, and depressive symptoms in young adults. A sample of 270 participants from Colombia were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression Subscale (HADS-D) and genotyped for the rs12720208 polymorphism using a TaqMan assay. A lineal regression analysis was used. A statistically significant association of the functional polymorphism in the FGF20 gene (rs12720208) with depressive symptoms was found. It was observed that individuals with the G/A genotype had higher scores for the HADS-D subscale. Our results are the first description in the scientific literature about a significant association between a functional polymorphism in the FGF20 gene, which regulates its modulation by miR-433, and depressive symptoms.
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