5-HT2A T102C receptor polymorphism and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphism and neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms in Chinese elderly with Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
This case-control study evaluated Chinese subjects with AD first presented to an university affiliated psychogeriatric clinic. Eighty-seven subjects with NINCDS-ADRDA diagnosis for probable and possible AD were recruited consecutively from the psychogeriatric clinics of the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. NP symptoms were assessed by the Chinese version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).


RESULTS
The genotype frequencies were significantly different in subjects with regards to the presentation of delusions, aggression, aberrant motor behavior and apathy (Pearson Chi Squares, p < 0.05). If only homozygote states were included, there were significantly fewer subjects of CC genotype with delusion (Pearson chi square, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Specific NP symptoms in AD were significantly associated with 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphisms. Possible ethnic differences in the behavioral expression of 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphisms are worthy of further exploration.
Lam
Linda Chiu Wa
LC
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, PRC. cwlam@cuhk.edu.hk
Tang
Nelson Leung Sang
NL
Ma
Suk Ling
SL
Zhang
Weimin
W
Chiu
Helen Fung Kum
HF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003702:Delusions / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000235:genetics*; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics
D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A