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The dopamine b-hydroxylase 19 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with first-episode but not medicated chronic schizophrenia
Hui, Li Zhang, Xuan Huang, Xu Feng Han, Mei Fernandez, Francesca Yu, Yaqin Sun, ShiLong Li, Wenjun Chen, Da Chun Xiu, Mei Hong
Hui, Li
Zhang, Xuan
Huang, Xu Feng
Han, Mei
Fernandez, Francesca
Yu, Yaqin
Sun, ShiLong
Li, Wenjun
Chen, Da Chun
Xiu, Mei Hong
Abstract
Background: Numerous studies report dysfunctional dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) is an intracellular enzyme catalyzing the conversion of dopamine to noradrenaline. Functional polymorphisms have been reported in the promoter region of DBH gene, including a 19 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was an association between the functional polymorphism (DBH5′-Ins/Del) and schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population. Methods: This polymorphism was genotyped in 221 first-episode schizophrenics, 360 chronic schizophrenics and 318 healthy controls using a case-control design. We assessed their psychopathology using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results: We showed that the DBH5′-Ins/Del deletion (Del) allelic and genotypic frequencies were significantly lower in controls than first-episode of schizophrenics (FES) (both p < 0.001), but controls were not different from chronic schizophrenics. Furthermore, the PANSS positive symptom and total scores were significantly higher in FES with the Del/Del genotype than those with Ins/Del and Ins/Ins genotypes (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: The DBH5′-Ins/Del polymorphism may play a role in susceptibility to the positive symptoms of FES and to these FES not progressing on to chronic schizophrenia.
Keywords
first-episode schizophrenia, chronic schizophrenia, case-control association, dopamine beta-hydroxylase polymorphism
Date
2012
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Psychiatric Research
Book
Volume
46
Issue
6
Page Range
733-737
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
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Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled