CAG repeat length in the hKCa3 gene and symptom dimensions in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Long CAG repeats in the hKCa3 potassium channel gene have been associated with schizophrenia. We sought evidence for associations between this polymorphism and aspects of the schizophrenia phenotype.


METHODS
Associations were investigated between CAG repeat length and gender, age of illness onset, and psychotic symptom dimensions in 203 unrelated individuals with DSM-IIIR schizophrenia.


RESULTS
No association was found between CAG repeat length and gender or age of onset. Long CAG repeats were associated with higher negative symptom dimension scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides preliminary evidence that genetic liability to negative symptoms in schizophrenia may be partly mediated through the hKCa3 gene.
Cardno
A G
AG
Division of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.
Bowen
T
T
Guy
C A
CA
Jones
L A
LA
McCarthy
G
G
Williams
N M
NM
Murphy
K C
KC
Spurlock
G
G
Gray
M
M
Sanders
R D
RD
Craddock
N
N
McGuffin
P
P
Owen
M J
MJ
O'Donovan
M C
MC
D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D018911:Trinucleotide Repeats / Q000235:genetics*
D015221:Potassium Channels; D002118:Calcium