title: Age of Onset in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Complex Interactions between Genetic and Environmental Factors.
abstract: In this study we evaluated the role of a candidate gene for major psychosis, Sialyltransferase (ST8SIA2), in the risk to develop a schizophrenia spectrum disorders, taking into account exposure to stressful life events (SLEs). Eight polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested in 94 Schizophreniainpatients and 176 healthy controls. Schizophrenia patients were also evaluated for SLEs in different life periods. None of the SNPs showed association with schizophrenia. Nevertheless, when crossing genetic variants with childhood SLEs, we could observe trends of interaction with age of onset. Though several limitations, our results support a protective role of ST8SIA2 in individuals exposed to moderate childhood stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mandelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toscano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porcelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serretti
keywords: Age of onset; Gene-environment interaction; ST8SIA2; Schizophrenia; Stressful life events