Association and linkage studies of candidate genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission in lithium-responsive bipolar disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To test for genetic linkage and association with GABAergic candidate genes in lithium-responsive bipolar disorder.


METHODS
Polymorphisms located in genes that code for GABRA3, GABRA5 and GABRB3 subunits of the GABAA receptor were investigated using association and linkage strategies.


METHODS
A total of 138 patients with bipolar 1 disorder with a clear response to lithium prophylaxis, selected from specialized lithium clinics in Canada and Europe that are part of the International Group for the Study of Lithium-Treated Patients, and 108 psychiatrically healthy controls. Families of 24 probands were suitable for linkage analysis.


METHODS
The association between the candidate genes and patients with bipolar disorder versus that of controls and genetic linkage within families.


RESULTS
There was no significant association or linkage found between lithium-responsive bipolar disorder and the GABAergic candidate genes investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not support a major role for the GABAergic candidate genes tested in lithium-responsive bipolar disorder.
Duffy
A
A
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax.
Turecki
G
G
Grof
P
P
Cavazzoni
P
P
Grof
E
E
Joober
R
R
Ahrens
B
B
Berghöfer
A
A
Müller-Oerlinghausen
B
B
Dvoráková
M
M
Libigerová
E
E
Vojtĕchovský
M
M
Zvolský
P
P
Nilsson
A
A
Licht
R W
RW
Rasmussen
N A
NA
Schou
M
M
Vestergaard
P
P
Holzinger
A
A
Schumann
C
C
Thau
K
K
Robertson
C
C
Rouleau
G A
GA
Alda
M
M
D000483:Alleles; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000235:genetics*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics*
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D008094:Lithium