Role of ethnicity in antipsychotic-induced weight gain and tardive dyskinesia: genes or environment?
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the role of self-reported ethnicity and genetic ancestry on antipsychotic (AP)-induced weight gain and tardive dyskinesia (TD) in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Ethnicity was determined by self-report as well as Structure analysis of 190 SNPs selected from HapMap3, genotyped using a customized Illumina BeadChip. Age, gender, baseline weight and AP response using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were assessed. Multivariate regression models for AP-induced weight gain and TD, based on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were constructed.


RESULTS
African-American ethnicity (self-report, p = 0.021 and Structure analysis, p = 0.042) predicted AP-induced weight gain but not TD (self-report, p = 0.408 and Structure analysis, p = 0.714).


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported African-American ethnicity seemed to better predict AP-induced weight gain in schizophrenia compared with genetic ancestry, suggesting a possible role of environmental in addition to genetic factors. Future larger studies are needed to clarify specific gene-environment mechanisms mediating the effect of ethnicity on AP-induced weight gain.
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Lai Fong
LF
Chan
Clement
C
Zai
Marcellino
M
Monda
Steven
S
Potkin
James L
JL
Kennedy
Gary
G
Remington
Jeffrey
J
Lieberman
Herbert Y
HY
Meltzer
Vincenzo
V
De Luca
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D060148:HapMap Project; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents