title: CACNA1C risk variant is associated with increased amygdala volume.
abstract: Genome-wide association studies suggest that genetic variation within L-type calcium channel subunits confer risk to psychosis. The single nucleotide polymorphism at rs1006737 in CACNA1C has been associated with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and with several intermediate phenotypes that may serve as neurobiological antecedents, linking psychosis to genetic aetiology. Amongst others, it has been implicated in alterations in amygdala structure and function. In the present study, we show that the risk allele (A) is associated with increased amygdala volume in healthy individuals (n = 258). This observation reinforces a hypothesis that genetic variation may confer risk to psychosis via alterations in limbic structures. Further study of CACNA1C using intermediate phenotypes for psychosis will determine the mechanisms by which variation in this gene confers risk.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, Wales, UK. LancasterTM@cardiff.ac.uk.|Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK. LancasterTM@cardiff.ac.uk.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lancaster
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.|MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Tansey
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, Wales, UK.|Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.|MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: D E J
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.affiliation: Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, Wales, UK.|MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Caseras
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C079146:CACNA1C protein, human; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type
keywords: Amygdala; Bipolar; CACNA1C; rs1006737