title: Possible association between a haplotype of the GABA-A receptor alpha 1 subunit gene (GABRA1) and mood disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. The GABRA1 gene encodes one of the subunits of GABA-A receptor and is located on human chromosome 5q34-q35, which is a region reportedly linked to mood disorders. We examined the GABRA1 gene as a candidate for mood disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed mutation screening of GABRA1 in 24 Japanese bipolar patients and evaluated associations in Japanese case-control subjects consisting of 125 patients with bipolar disorder, 147 patients with depressive disorders, and 191 healthy control subjects. Associations were confirmed in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Initiative Bipolar Pedigrees, which consists of 88 multiplex pedigrees with 480 informative persons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 13 polymorphisms in the GABRA1 gene. Nonsynonymous mutations were not found. Association of a specific haplotype with affective disorders was suggested in the Japanese case-control population (corrected p=.0008). This haplotype association was confirmed in the NIMH pedigrees (p=.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the GABRA1 gene may play a role in the etiology of bipolar disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Horiuchi
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
authors.forename: Tsuyuka
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohtsuki
authors.forename: Sevilla D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Detera-Wadleigh
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toyota
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nankai
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shibuya
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Tadao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arinami
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002895:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 / Q000235:genetics; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011963:Receptors, GABA-A