title: Influence of CYP2D6 polymorphisms on symptomatology and side-effects of patients with schizophrenia in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our objective was to investigate the association of CYP2D6 polymorphisms with symptoms and side-effects of patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 156 patients with schizophrenia undergoing antipsychotic treatment at a psychiatric clinic. Patients with co-morbid diagnoses of substance abuse or mental retardation were excluded from the study. Psychopathology was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). Extrapyramidal side-effects and akathisia were assessed with the Simpson Angus Scale (SAS) and the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), respectively. DNA was extracted from blood and subjected to PCR-genotyping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that CYP2D6 polymorphisms were significantly associated with a subtotal negative PANSS score. In addition, CYP2D6 is not related to side-effects of antipsychotic therapy, or SAS and BARS scores. The results suggest that CYP2D6 polymorphisms may have implications in treatment response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, CYP2D6 may be a predictor for treatment outcomes of patients with schizophrenia. However, further investigation is required to confirm these findings in a larger sample.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus & Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Jln Raja Perempuan Zainab II, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Zalina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zahari
authors.forename: Mohd Razali
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Salleh
authors.forename: Lay Kek
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: Rusli
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ismail