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Association between variants of MTHFR genes and psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis
Yu-Xin Zhang1,2, Lu-Ping Yang3, Cong Gai1
1Department of Anatomy, School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Background:
Psychiatric disorders have seriously affected human life, one of the risk genes related to psychosis is the methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) gene. This gene has a potential role in psychiatric disorders. Therefore, a meta-analysis is conducted to investigate the correlations between two prevalent MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), MTHFR C677T, A1298C, severe psychological disorders (schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder).
Methods:
A total of 81 published studies were screened and selected by a search of electronic databases up to April 2022. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between MTHFR polymorphism and psychiatric disorders susceptibility by using random effect models.
Results:
We found that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is significantly related to schizophrenia and major depression in the overall population. MTHFR C677T has been linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder in the recessive model (TT vs. CT + CC). Ethnic subgroup analysis shows that schizophrenia and major depression significantly correlate with MTHFR C677T and A1298C in Asian populations but not Caucasians. Besides, schizophrenia is correlated substantially with MTHFR C677T in the African population. However, the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism is only marginally linked to major depression.
Conclusion:
Findings of the current study revealed that MTHFR may contribute to the common pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases and that its variants may be essential in controlling the expression of psychosis-related genes. This study could help the researchers and health specialists in the early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Insights
The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene variant is linked to increased risks of schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder. MTHFR gene variations may play a role in the development of psychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Psychiatric disorders pose significant global health challenges.
- The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is implicated as a potential risk factor for psychosis.
- This meta-analysis investigates the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) and severe psychiatric conditions.
Approach:
- A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, synthesizing data from 81 published studies up to April 2022.
- Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and psychiatric disorder susceptibility.
- Random effect models were employed to account for potential heterogeneity across studies.
Key Points:
- The MTHFR C677T polymorphism shows a significant association with schizophrenia and major depression in the general population.
- An increased risk of bipolar disorder was observed with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism under a recessive model.
- Ethnic subgroup analyses revealed significant correlations of MTHFR C677T and A1298C with schizophrenia and major depression in Asian populations, and MTHFR C677T with schizophrenia in African populations.
Conclusions:
- MTHFR gene variants may contribute to the shared pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases.
- MTHFR gene variations are potentially crucial in regulating the expression of psychosis-related genes.
- These findings can aid researchers and clinicians in the early diagnosis and treatment strategies for psychiatric disorders.
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