A polymorphism in the dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) associated with multiple psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
A number of studies have found associations between dysbindin (DTNBP1) polymorphisms and schizophrenia. Recently we identified a DTNBP1 SNP (rs9370822) that is strongly associated with schizophrenia. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were nearly three times as likely to carry the CC genotype compared to the AA genotype.


METHODS
To investigate the importance of this SNP in the function of DTNBP1, a number of psychiatric conditions including addictive behaviours and anxiety disorders were analysed for association with rs9370822.


RESULTS
The DTNBP1 polymorphism was significantly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as nicotine and opiate dependence but not alcohol dependence. Individuals suffering PTSD were more than three times as likely to carry the CC genotype compared to the AA genotype. Individuals with nicotine or opiate dependence were more than twice as likely to carry the CC genotype compared to the AA genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides further support for the importance of DTNBP1 in psychiatric conditions and suggests that there is a common underlying molecular defect involving DTNBP1 that contributes to the development of several anxiety and addictive disorders that are generally recognised as separate clinical conditions. These disorders may actually be different expressions of a single metabolic pathway perturbation. As our participant numbers are limited our observations should be viewed with caution until they are independently replicated.
Voisey
Joanne
J
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Swagell
Christopher D
CD
Hughes
Ian P
IP
Connor
Jason P
JP
Lawford
Bruce R
BR
Young
Ross M
RM
Morris
C Phillip
CP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000074765:Dysbindin; D049029:Dystrophin-Associated Proteins; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000235:genetics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C432416:DTNBP1 protein, human; D000074765:Dysbindin; D049029:Dystrophin-Associated Proteins