Association of an interleukin-1beta genetic polymorphism with altered brain structure in patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effect on brain morphology of an interleukin-1beta genetic polymorphism (C-->T transition at position -511) in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging and genotype analysis were used in the examination of 44 male schizophrenic patients and 48 healthy male comparison subjects.


RESULTS
No association between the interleukin-1beta polymorphism and schizophrenia was detected. Within the patient group, bifrontal-temporal gray matter volume deficits and generalized white matter tissue deficits in allele 2 carriers (genotype T/T or C/T) were found. In contrast, the interleukin-1beta polymorphism had no influence on brain morphology within the healthy subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that allele 2 within the promoter region of the interleukin-1beta gene at position -511 contributes to structural brain alterations in patients with schizophrenia.
Meisenzahl
E M
EM
Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilians University, Nussbaumstrasse 7, 80336 Munich, Germany.
Rujescu
D
D
Kirner
A
A
Giegling
I
I
Kathmann
N
N
Leinsinger
G
G
Maag
K
K
Hegerl
U
U
Hahn
K
K
Möller
H J
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics
D007375:Interleukin-1