Genetic polymorphisms in dopaminergic system and treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Dopaminergic system plays an important role in antipsychotic response. Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can change dopamine receptor expression or dopamine disposition and thus influence response to antipsychotic treatment.


METHODS
138 schizophrenia patients were stratified in the treatment-resistant and treatment-responsive group. Control group consisted of 94 healthy blood donors. All subjects were genotyped for the following SNPs: DRD1 (rs4532, rs5326), DRD2 (rs1801028, rs1799732), DRD3 (rs6280) and COMT (rs165815, rs4680). Association between the genotypes and clinical symptoms were tested using ANCOVA with current antipsychotic dose as a confounder. Differences in allele frequencies between treatment-responsive and treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were assessed using χ(2) tests.


RESULTS
No statistically significant associations were observed between any of the investigated genotypes and clinical scores and occurrence of the treatment-resistant schizophrenia.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic variability in dopaminergic system does not have a major role in clinical symptoms and occurrence of treatment-resistant schizophrenia among Slovenian patients.
University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Studenec 48, 1260 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Tea
T
Terzić
Matej
M
Kastelic
Vita
V
Dolžan
Blanka Kores
BK
Plesničar
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000235:genetics; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3 / Q000235:genetics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C583260:DRD1 protein, human; C581293:DRD2 protein, human; C493593:DRD3 protein, human; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; C588010:COMT protein, human; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase