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Altered gene expression in antipsychotic-induced weight gain
Benedicto Crespo-Facorro1,2, Carlos Prieto3, Jesus Sainz4
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, HU Virgen del Rocio-IBIS-Universidad de Sevilla, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain. benedicto.crespo@unican.es.
NPJ Schizophrenia
|April 12, 2019
Summary
Antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) in schizophrenia patients is linked to specific gene expression changes. Identifying these genetic factors could lead to future prediction tests for AIWG.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacogenomics
- Molecular Psychiatry
- Schizophrenia Research
Background:
- Antipsychotic medications are widely prescribed, but antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) is a significant adverse effect.
- AIWG negatively impacts patient health, reducing quality of life and treatment adherence.
- Understanding the genetic basis of AIWG is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gene expression differences in schizophrenia patients experiencing AIWG compared to those who do not.
- To identify potential genetic factors associated with AIWG.
Main Methods:
- Messenger RNA sequencing was performed on blood samples from schizophrenia patients before and after 3 months of antipsychotic treatment.
- Patients were categorized into "weight gain" (BMI increase >1.5) and "no weight gain" (BMI change between -1.0 and 1.0) groups.
- Differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis (GeneRIF database) were conducted.
Main Results:
- 115 genes showed significant differential expression in the weight gain group post-treatment.
- 156 genes were differentially expressed in the no weight gain group post-treatment.
- The weight gain group was significantly enriched for genes related to obesity and BMI (p<0.05), while the no weight gain group showed less enrichment.
Conclusions:
- This study identifies distinct gene expression patterns associated with AIWG in schizophrenia patients.
- The findings suggest a genetic component contributing to AIWG.
- Further research with larger datasets is warranted to develop predictive tests for AIWG.
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