RGS4 polymorphisms predict clinical manifestations and responses to risperidone treatment in patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Polymorphisms of the gene encoding the regulator of G-protein signaling subtype 4 (RGS4) are associated with schizophrenia. This study aims to investigate the association of 4 RGS4 polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] 1, 4, 7, and 18), implicated in previous studies, with baseline symptoms and treatment response to risperidone in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
One hundred twenty patients with acutely exacerbated schizophrenia who had never been treated by atypical antipsychotics were recruited. They received optimal treatment of risperidone for up to 42 days in the inpatient research unit. Patients' social functions were monitored by Nurses' Observation Scale for Inpatients Evaluation and clinical manifestations, by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.


RESULTS
At baseline status, the A/A genotype at SNP7 of RGS4 was associated with poorer social function when compared with the G/G genotype. After risperidone treatment, the A/A genotype at SNP1 was associated with greater improvement at social function, and the A/A genotype at SNP18 was associated with greater improvement at social function, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score, and positive- and negative-symptom subscale.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that RGS4 variances influence clinical manifestations of schizophrenia as well as the treatment response to risperidone, suggesting that RGS4 plays a role in the fundamental process of disease pathophysiology.
Lane
Hsien-Yuan
HY
Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Liu
Yi-Ching
YC
Huang
Chieh-Liang
CL
Chang
Yue-Cune
YC
Wu
Po-Lun
PL
Huang
Chiung-Hsien
CH
Tsai
Guochuan E
GE
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D020710:RGS Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D020710:RGS Proteins; C098799:RGS4 protein; D018967:Risperidone