Genetic relationship between dopamine transporter gene and schizophrenia: linkage and association

This study explores the genetic relationship between schizophrenia and the dopamine transporter gene (DAT) by a variety of methods. In a sample of 48 families--each family containing at least one nuclear family with a pair of affected siblings--we performed linkage analysis using the maximum likelihood (LOD score) method as well as sibpair analysis (identity by descent). In addition, we investigated a sample of 108 nuclear families--index case affected with schizophrenia/chronic schizoaffective disorder--for association using the haplotype relative risk method. Linkage between schizophrenia and DAT using two- and three-point linkage analysis was excluded with all disease models employed. No evidence for association between haplotypes of the VNTR-probe of the DAT and schizophrenia has been detected. Thus, a contribution of the DAT gene to the genetic diathesis of schizophrenia is unlikely in the families studied.