title: Cannabis and a lower BMI in psychosis: What is the role of AKT1?
abstract: Cannabis use has been associated with favorable outcomes on metabolic risk factors. The cause of this relation is still unknown. In this study we investigated whether this effect is mediated by the AKT1 gene, as activation of the related enzyme by cannabis may cause metabolic changes. Six Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AKT1 gene (rs1130214, rs1130233, rs2494732, rs2498784, rs3730358, and rs3803300) of patients with psychotic disorders (n=623) were related to Body Mass Index (BMI), levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c) and total metabolic risk. Next, mediation analysis was performed with BMI as outcome, cannabis as predictor, and AKT1 as mediator. Cannabis use was inversely related to BMI but not with levels of HBA1c and total metabolic risk. Moreover, out of 6 AKT1 SNPs, rs2494732 was associated with cannabis use, but AKT1 did not mediate the effect of cannabis on BMI. In conclusion, cannabis use is likely to be associated with a lower BMI in patients with a psychotic disorder. Moreover, AKT1 risk alleles may increase the incidence of cannabis use in patients with a psychotic disorder, but AKT1 does not appear to mediate the effect of cannabis on BMI.
authors.affiliation: Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, CC72, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Neuroscience, and BCN Neuroimaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, FA32, Antonius Deusinglaan 2, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: e.j.liemburg@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Edith J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Liemburg
authors.affiliation: Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, CC72, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.bruins@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Jojanneke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruins
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department 'Nieuwe Kennis', Delta Center for Mental Health Care, Boerhaavestraat 10,3083 DA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: N.Beveren@antesgroep.nl.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Beveren
authors.affiliation: Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, CC72, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Statistics, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh. Electronic address: a.islam@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Md Atiqul
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, FA40, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: b.z.alizadeh@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Behrooz Z
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002188:Cannabis; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D000074609:Marijuana Use / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; C494918:AKT1 protein, human
keywords: Body mass; Cannabis; Genetics; Psychotic disorder; Schizophrenia