Parent-of-origin effect and evidence for differential transmission in periodic catatonia.
In a family study involving 83 probands with periodic catatonia a subtype of DSM IIIR schizophrenia, we reported an age-specific morbidity risk of 26.9% in first-degree relatives with homotypical psychoses and genetic anticipation indicating a possible major gene effect. Paternal transmission was associated with a trend for a younger age at onset in probands compared to that observed in the case of maternal transmission (P = 0.099). If this can be confirmed in a larger sample and then replicated, there would be evidence for the occurrence of a parent-of-origin effect. Such an observation may indicate that a paternally imprinted locus acts on periodic catatonia. Among the non-genetic mechanisms that may modify the penetrance of the disease, paternal affection did lead to a decrease in male offspring (P = 0.007) and maternal affection showed an increased frequency of non-affected male offspring (P = 0.021). We therefore propose that parent-of-origin effects as well as prenatal mortality and psychosocial factors need further investigation in the periodic catatonia subtype of schizophrenia.
Stöber
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Germany. nerk105@rzkli.uni-wuerzburg.de
Haubitz
I
I
Franzek
E
E
Beckmann
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011584:Psychology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D012560:Schizophrenia, Catatonic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*