The DRD2 gene 957C>T polymorphism is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in war veterans.
BACKGROUND
Variations in genes related to the dopaminergic pathway have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, substance misuse, Alzheimer's disease and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (957C>T) and a deletion polymorphism (-141delC) in the DRD2 gene and a SNP (Taq1A) in a gene directly downstream of DRD2 have all been implicated in dopamine functioning in the brain.


METHODS
To test the importance of these three polymorphisms in PTSD susceptibility, a genetic screen was performed in 127 war veterans diagnosed with PTSD and 228 control individuals without a history of PTSD.


RESULTS
No significant association was found between PTSD and the Taq1A or -141delC polymorphisms. However, a significant association was observed with PTSD and the 957C>T polymorphism. PTSD individuals were more likely to carry the C allele compared to the controls (P=0.021).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the 957C>T polymorphism in the DRD2 gene is one of the genetic factors for susceptibility to PTSD.
Voisey
Joanne
J
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. j.voisey@qut.edu.au
Swagell
Christopher D
CD
Hughes
Ian P
IP
Morris
C Phillip
CP
van Daal
Angela
A
Noble
Earnest P
EP
Kann
Burnett
B
Heslop
Karen A
KA
Young
Ross McD
RM
Lawford
Bruce R
BR
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001315:Australia; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D047829:Vietnam Conflict
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2