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Zouraraki C, Karamaouna P, Karagiannopoulou L, Giakoumaki SG. Schizotypy-Independent and Schizotypy-Modulated Cognitive Impairments in Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Schizophrenia-spectrum Patients. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2017; 32:1010-1025. [PMID: 28383650 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acx029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to compare the neurocognitive profile of unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients with control individuals, controlling for different schizotypal traits. Method One hundred and fifteen adult unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia-spectrum patients and 122 controls were tested for schizotypy with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. They also underwent a thorough neurocognitive assessment with a range of tasks covering several aspects of executive functioning. Between-group differences in cognition were examined first with multivariate analysis of variance and then with a series of multivariate analyses of covariance, including the schizotypal dimensions as covariates. Results The relatives had higher scores on all schizotypal dimensions compared with controls and poorer planning, problem solving, strategy formation and working memory, irrespective of schizotypal traits. They also scored lower in executive working memory and verbal fluency. The difference in executive working memory was sensitive to the effects of paranoid and negative schizotypy (both dimensions abolished the between-group difference) whereas the difference in verbal fluency was sensitive only to the effects of paranoid schizotypy. Neither cognitive-perceptual nor disorganized schizotypy accounted for any differences in neurocognition between relatives and the controls. Conclusions Impairments in planning, problem solving, strategy formation and working memory are "core" impairments in the schizophrenia-spectrum, possibly due to high heritability effects in these functions. Impairments in executive working memory and verbal fluency are associated with paranoid and negative schizotypy, possibly due to alterations in a common fronto-temporo-parietal neural network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula Zouraraki
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno 74100, Crete, Greece
| | - Penny Karamaouna
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno 74100, Crete, Greece
| | - Leda Karagiannopoulou
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno 74100, Crete, Greece
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2
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Liu J, Gong J, Nie G, He Y, Xiao B, Shen Y, Luo X. The mediating effects of childhood neglect on the association between schizotypal and autistic personality traits and depression in a non-clinical sample. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:352. [PMID: 29065890 PMCID: PMC5655952 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1510-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic personality traits (APT) and schizotypal personality traits (SPT) are associated with depression. However, mediating factors within these relationships have not yet been explored. Thus, the focus of the current study was to examine the effects of childhood neglect on the relationship between APT/SPT and depression. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on first-year students (N = 2469) at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and Hengyang Normal College (Changsha, China). Participants completed surveys on APT, SPT, childhood neglect, abuse and depression. RESULTS Through correlational analyses, APT and SPT traits were positively correlated with childhood neglect and depression (p < 0.05). In a hierarchical regression analysis, among types of childhood maltreatment, emotional neglect (β = 0.112, p < 0.001) and physical neglect (β = 0.105, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of depression. Childhood neglect did not account for the relationships between APT/SPT and depression. Further analysis found that childhood neglect mediated the relationship between SPT and depression but not APT and depression. CONCLUSIONS Among types of childhood maltreatment, neglect was the strongest predicting factor for depression. Neglect did not account for the relationship between APT/SPT and depression but was a strong mediating factor between SPT and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbo Liu
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, Changsha, 410000 China
| | - Jingbo Gong
- grid.67293.39Department of Applied Psychology, Traditional Chinese Medicine University of Hunan, Changsha, 410208 China
| | - Guanghui Nie
- 0000 0004 1798 2653grid.256607.0School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530000 China
| | - Yuqiong He
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, Changsha, 410000 China
| | - Bo Xiao
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, Changsha, 410000 China
| | - Yanmei Shen
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, Changsha, 410000 China
| | - Xuerong Luo
- Mental Health Institute of The Second Xiangya Hospital and Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, The Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China.
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3
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Ortega-Alonso A, Ekelund J, Sarin AP, Miettunen J, Veijola J, Järvelin MR, Hennah W. Genome-Wide Association Study of Psychosis Proneness in the Finnish Population. Schizophr Bull 2017; 43:1304-1314. [PMID: 28525603 PMCID: PMC5737890 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined quantitative measures of psychosis proneness in a nonpsychotic population, in order to elucidate their underlying genetic architecture and to observe if there is any commonality to that already detected in the studies of individuals with overt psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Heritability, univariate and multivariate genome-wide association (GWAs) tests, including a series of comprehensive gene-based association analyses, were developed in 4269 nonpsychotic persons participating in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study with information on the following psychometric measures: Hypomanic Personality, Perceptual Aberration, Physical and Social Anhedonia (also known as Chapman's Schizotypia scales), and Schizoidia scale. Genome-wide genetic data was available for ~9.84 million SNPs. Heritability estimates ranged from 16% to 27%. Phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations ranged from 0.04-0.43, 0.25-0.73, and 0.12-0.43, respectively. Univariate GWAs tests revealed an intronic SNP (rs12449097) at the TMC7 gene (16p12.3) that significantly associated (P = 3.485 × 10-8) with the hypomanic scale. Bivariate GWAs tests including the hypomanic and physical anhedonia scales suggested a further borderline significant SNP (rs188320715; P-value = 5.261 × 10-8, ~572 kb downstream the ARID1B gene at 6q25.3). Gene-based tests highlighted 20 additional genes of which 5 had previously been associated to schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder: CSMD1, CCDC141, SLC1A2, CACNA1C, and SNAP25. Altogether the findings explained from 3.7% to 14.1% of the corresponding trait heritability. In conclusion, this study provides preliminary genomic evidence suggesting that qualitatively similar biological factors may underlie different psychosis proneness measures, some of which could further predispose to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Ortega-Alonso
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, PO Box 20, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland; e-mail:
| | - Jesper Ekelund
- Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Psychiatry, Vaasa Hospital District, Vaasa, Finland
| | - Antti-Pekka Sarin
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouko Miettunen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha Veijola
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,DDepartment of Psychiatry, Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Department of Psychiatry, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marjo-Riitta Järvelin
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MRC–PHE Centre for Environment & Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK,Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland,Unit of Primary Care, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - William Hennah
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland-FIMM, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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4
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Walter EE, Fernandez F, Snelling M, Barkus E. Genetic Consideration of Schizotypal Traits: A Review. Front Psychol 2016; 7:1769. [PMID: 27895608 PMCID: PMC5108787 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizotypal traits are of interest and importance in their own right and also have theoretical and clinical associations with schizophrenia. These traits comprise attenuated psychotic symptoms, social withdrawal, reduced cognitive capacity, and affective dysregulation. The link between schizotypal traits and psychotic disorders has long since been debated. The status of knowledge at this point is such schizotypal traits are a risk for psychotic disorders, but in and of themselves only confer liability, with other risk factors needing to be present before a transition to psychosis occurs. Investigation of schizotypal traits also has the possibility to inform clinical and research pursuits concerning those who do not make a transition to psychotic disorders. A growing body of literature has investigated the genetic underpinnings of schizotypal traits. Here, we review association, family studies and describe genetic disorders where the expression of schizotypal traits has been investigated. We conducted a thorough review of the existing literature, with multiple search engines, references, and linked articles being searched for relevance to the current review. All articles and book chapters in English were sourced and reviewed for inclusion. Family studies demonstrate that schizotypal traits are elevated with increasing genetic proximity to schizophrenia and some chromosomal regions have been associated with schizotypy. Genes associated with schizophrenia have provided the initial start point for the investigation of candidate genes for schizotypal traits; neurobiological pathways of significance have guided selection of genes of interest. Given the chromosomal regions associated with schizophrenia, some genetic disorders have also considered the expression of schizotypal traits. Genetic disorders considered all comprise a profile of cognitive deficits and over representation of psychotic disorders compared to the general population. We conclude that genetic variations associated with schizotypal traits require further investigation, perhaps with targeted phenotypes narrowed to assist in refining the clinical end point of significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Walter
- School of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Francesca Fernandez
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mollie Snelling
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma Barkus
- School of Psychology, University of WollongongWollongong, NSW, Australia
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5
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Cheah SY, Lurie JK, Lawford BR, Young RM, Morris CP, Voisey J. Interaction of multiple gene variants and their effects on schizophrenia phenotypes. Compr Psychiatry 2016; 71:63-70. [PMID: 27636509 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2016.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a clinically heterogeneous disorder and may be explained by its complex genetic architecture. Many schizophrenia susceptibility genes were identified but the picture remains unclear due to inconsistent or contradictory genetic association studies. This confusion may, in part, be because symptoms result from the combined interaction of many genes and these interacting genes are associated with specific sub-phenotypes of schizophrenia rather than schizophrenia as a whole. This study investigates the relationship between schizophrenia susceptibility genes and schizophrenia sub-phenotypes by identifying multiple gene variant interactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty SNPs from 21 genes were genotyped in 235 Australian participants with schizophrenia screened for various phenotypes. Schizophrenia participants were grouped into relevant phenotype clusters using cluster analysis and normalized phenotype cluster scores were calculated for each patient. The relationship between genotypes and normalized phenotype cluster scores were analyzed by linear regression analysis. RESULTS Three phenotype clusters were identified. There was some overlap in symptoms between phenotype clusters, particularly for depression. However, cluster 1 appears to be characterized by speech disorder and affective behavior symptoms, cluster 2 has predominantly hallucination symptoms and cluster 3 has mainly delusion symptoms. Interaction of five SNPs was found to have an effect on cluster 1 symptoms; ten SNPs on cluster 2 symptoms; and eight SNPs on cluster 3 symptoms. CONCLUSION The interaction of specific susceptibility genes is likely to lead to specific clinical sub-phenotypes of schizophrenia. Larger patient cohorts with more extensive clinical data will improve the detection of gene interactions and the resultant schizophrenia clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sern-Yih Cheah
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Janine K Lurie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Bruce R Lawford
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Discipline of Psychiatry, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia
| | - Ross McD Young
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Charles P Morris
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Joanne Voisey
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
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6
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Ma G, Fan H, Shen C, Wang W. Genetic and Neuroimaging Features of Personality Disorders: State of the Art. Neurosci Bull 2016; 32:286-306. [PMID: 27037690 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-016-0027-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Personality disorders often act as a common denominator for many psychiatric problems, and studies on personality disorders contribute to the etiopathology, diagnosis, and treatment of many mental disorders. In recent years, increasing evidence from various studies has shown distinctive features of personality disorders, and that from genetic and neuroimaging studies has been especially valuable. Genetic studies primarily target the genes encoding neurotransmitters and enzymes in the serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems, and neuroimaging studies mainly focus on the frontal and temporal lobes as well as the limbic-paralimbic system in patients with personality disorders. Although some studies have suffered due to unclear diagnoses of personality disorders and some have included few patients for a given personality disorder, great opportunities remain for investigators to launch new ideas and technologies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorong Ma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University College of Science, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Hongying Fan
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chanchan Shen
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University College of Science, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China. .,Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University College of Science, Hangzhou, 310007, China.
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7
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Jiang W, Shang S, Su Y. Genetic influences on insight problem solving: the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1569. [PMID: 26528222 PMCID: PMC4602104 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
People may experience an “aha” moment, when suddenly realizing a solution of a puzzling problem. This experience is called insight problem solving. Several findings suggest that catecholamine-related genes may contribute to insight problem solving, among which the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is the most promising candidate. The current study examined 753 healthy individuals to determine the associations between 7 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms on the COMT gene and insight problem-solving performance, while considering gender differences. The results showed that individuals carrying A allele of rs4680 or T allele of rs4633 scored significantly higher on insight problem-solving tasks, and the COMT gene rs5993883 combined with gender interacted with correct solutions of insight problems, specifically showing that this gene only influenced insight problem-solving performance in males. This study presents the first investigation of the genetic impact on insight problem solving and provides evidence that highlights the role that the COMT gene plays in insight problem solving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Jiang
- Department of Psychology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University Beijing, China
| | - Siyuan Shang
- Department of Psychology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University Beijing, China
| | - Yanjie Su
- Department of Psychology and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University Beijing, China
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8
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Schmack K, Rössler H, Sekutowicz M, Brandl EJ, Müller DJ, Petrovic P, Sterzer P. Linking unfounded beliefs to genetic dopamine availability. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:521. [PMID: 26483654 PMCID: PMC4588007 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Unfounded convictions involving beliefs in the paranormal, grandiosity ideas or suspicious thoughts are endorsed at varying degrees among the general population. Here, we investigated the neurobiopsychological basis of the observed inter-individual variability in the propensity toward unfounded beliefs. One hundred two healthy individuals were genotyped for four polymorphisms in the COMT gene (rs6269, rs4633, rs4818, and rs4680, also known as val158met) that define common functional haplotypes with substantial impact on synaptic dopamine degradation, completed a questionnaire measuring unfounded beliefs, and took part in a behavioral experiment assessing perceptual inference. We found that greater dopamine availability was associated with a stronger propensity toward unfounded beliefs, and that this effect was statistically mediated by an enhanced influence of expectations on perceptual inference. Our results indicate that genetic differences in dopaminergic neurotransmission account for inter-individual differences in perceptual inference linked to the formation and maintenance of unfounded beliefs. Thus, dopamine might be critically involved in the processes underlying one's interpretation of the relationship between the self and the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schmack
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannes Rössler
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Sekutowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva J Brandl
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Neurogenetics Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Predrag Petrovic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philipp Sterzer
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin, Germany
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9
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Nishizawa D, Kasai S, Hasegawa J, Sato N, Yamada H, Tanioka F, Nagashima M, Katoh R, Satoh Y, Tagami M, Ujike H, Ozaki N, Inada T, Iwata N, Sora I, Iyo M, Yamada M, Kondo N, Won MJ, Naruse N, Uehara-Aoyama K, Itokawa M, Ohi K, Hashimoto R, Tanisawa K, Arai T, Mori S, Sawabe M, Naka-Mieno M, Yamada Y, Yamada M, Sato N, Muramatsu M, Tanaka M, Irukayama-Tomobe Y, Saito YC, Sakurai T, Hayashida M, Sugimura H, Ikeda K. Associations between the orexin (hypocretin) receptor 2 gene polymorphism Val308Ile and nicotine dependence in genome-wide and subsequent association studies. Mol Brain 2015; 8:50. [PMID: 26289589 PMCID: PMC4546081 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0142-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many genetic and environmental factors are involved in the etiology of nicotine dependence. Although several candidate gene variations have been reported by candidate gene studies or genome-wide association studies (GWASs) to be associated with smoking behavior and the vulnerability to nicotine dependence, such studies have been mostly conducted with subjects with European ancestry. However, genetic factors have rarely been investigated for the Japanese population as GWASs. To elucidate genetic factors involved in nicotine dependence in Japanese, the present study comprehensively explored genetic contributors to nicotine dependence by using whole-genome genotyping arrays with more than 200,000 markers in Japanese subjects. Results The subjects for the GWAS and replication study were 148 and 374 patients, respectively. A two-stage GWAS was conducted using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Tobacco Dependence Screener (TDS), and number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) as indices of nicotine dependence. For the additional association analyses, patients who underwent major abdominal surgery, patients with methamphetamine dependence/psychosis, and healthy subjects with schizotypal personality trait data were recruited. Autopsy specimens with various diseases were also evaluated. After the study of associations between more than 200,000 marker single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the FTND, TDS, and CPD, the nonsynonymous rs2653349 SNP (located on the gene that encodes orexin [hypocretin] receptor 2) was selected as the most notable SNP associated with FTND, with a p value of 0.0005921 in the two-stage GWAS. This possible association was replicated for the remaining 374 samples. This SNP was also associated with postoperative pain, the initiation of methamphetamine use, schizotypal personality traits, and susceptibility to goiter. Conclusions Although the p value did not reach a conventional genome-wide level of significance in our two-stage GWAS, we obtained significant results in the subsequent analyses that suggest that the rs2653349 SNP (Val308Ile) could be a genetic factor that is related to nicotine dependence and possibly pain, schizotypal personality traits, and goiter in the Japanese population. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0142-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nishizawa
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
| | - Shinya Kasai
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
| | - Junko Hasegawa
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
| | - Naomi Sato
- Department of Clinical Nursing, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan. .,Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Hidetaka Yamada
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Fumihiko Tanioka
- Department of Pathology, Iwata City Hospital, Iwata, 438-8550, Japan.
| | - Makoto Nagashima
- Department of Surgery, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, 285-8741, Japan.
| | - Ryoji Katoh
- Department of Surgery, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, 285-8741, Japan.
| | - Yasuo Satoh
- Department of Anesthesiology, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, 285-8741, Japan.
| | - Megumi Tagami
- Department of Anesthesiology, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura, 285-8741, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Ujike
- Ujike Nishiguchi Clinic, Okayama, 700-0024, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Toshiya Inada
- Department of Psychiatry, Seiwa Hospital, Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Tokyo, 162-0851, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Nakao Iwata
- Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ichiro Sora
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan. .,Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masaomi Iyo
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Mitsuhiko Yamada
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8553, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Naoki Kondo
- Seimei Hospital, Fuji City, 417-0801, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Moo-Jun Won
- Koujin Hospital, Nagoya, 463-8530, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Nobuya Naruse
- Saitama Seishin-iryo Center, Kita-adachi, Saitama, 362-0806, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kumi Uehara-Aoyama
- Kanagawa Psychiatric Center, Serigaya Hospital, Kanagawa, 233-0006, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masanari Itokawa
- Schizophrenia and Depression Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
| | - Kazutaka Ohi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,National Hospital Organization, Yamato Mental-Medical Center, Nara, 639-1042, Japan.
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University, Chiba University, and Fukui University School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Kumpei Tanisawa
- Department of Genomics for Longevity and Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan. .,Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo, 359-1192, Japan.
| | - Tomio Arai
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
| | - Seijiro Mori
- Center for Promotion of Clinical Investigation, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
| | - Motoji Sawabe
- Molecular Pathophysiology, Department of Molecular-genetic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan.
| | - Makiko Naka-Mieno
- Department of Medical Informatics, Center for Information, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, 329-0498, Japan.
| | - Yoshiji Yamada
- Department of Human Functional Genomics, Life Science Research Center, Mie University, Tsu, 514-8507, Japan.
| | - Miki Yamada
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan.
| | - Noriko Sato
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan.
| | - Masaaki Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan.
| | - Masashi Tanaka
- Department of Genomics for Longevity and Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
| | | | - Yuki C Saito
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Integrative Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Masakazu Hayashida
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Haruhiko Sugimura
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan. .,Japanese Genetics Initiative for Drug Abuse (JGIDA), Tokyo, Japan.
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10
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Barrantes-Vidal N, Grant P, Kwapil TR. The role of schizotypy in the study of the etiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophr Bull 2015; 41 Suppl 2:S408-16. [PMID: 25810055 PMCID: PMC4373635 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbu191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Schizotypy provides a useful construct for understanding the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. As research on the epidemiology of psychotic symptoms and clinical risk for psychosis has expanded, conceptual challenges have emerged to comprehend the nature and borders of the space comprised between personality variation and psychosis. Schizotypy is considered in light of these more recent constructs. It is suggested that rather than being superseded by them due to their higher specificity and predictive power for transition to psychosis, schizotypy integrates them as it constitutes a dynamic continuum ranging from personality to psychosis. The advantages of schizotypy for studying schizophrenia etiology are discussed (eg, it facilitates a developmental approach and the identification of causal, resilience, and compensating factors and offers a multidimensional structure that captures etiological heterogeneity). An overview of putative genetic, biological, and psychosocial risk factors is presented, focusing on communalities and differences between schizotypy and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The found notable overlap supports etiological continuity, and, simultaneously, differential findings appear that are critical to understanding resilience to schizophrenia. For example, discrepant findings in genetic studies might be interpreted as suggestive of sets of independent genetic factors playing a differential role in schizotypy and schizophrenia: some would influence variation specifically on schizotypy dimensions (ie, high vs low schizotypy, thereby increasing proneness to psychosis), some would confer unspecific liability to disease by impacting neural properties and susceptibility to environmental factors (ie, high vs low resilience to disorder) and some might contribute to disease-specific characteristics. Finally, schizotypy's promise for studying gene-environment interactions is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC; Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Sant Pere Claver - Fundació Sanitària, Barcelona, Spain;
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11
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de Castro-Catala M, Barrantes-Vidal N, Sheinbaum T, Moreno-Fortuny A, Kwapil TR, Rosa A. COMT-by-sex interaction effect on psychosis proneness. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:829237. [PMID: 25722988 PMCID: PMC4334622 DOI: 10.1155/2015/829237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizotypy phenotypes in the general population share etiopathogenic mechanisms and risk factors with schizophrenia, supporting the notion of psychosis as a continuum ranging from nonclinical to clinical deviance. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a candidate susceptibility gene for schizophrenia that is involved in the regulation of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. Several recent studies have reported a sex difference in the impact of COMT genotype on psychiatric and cognitive phenotypes and personality traits. The present study investigated the association of COMT Val158Met (rs4680) with psychometric positive and negative schizotypy and psychotic experiences in a sample of 808 nonclinical young adults. The main finding was that sex moderates the association of COMT genotype with the negative dimension of both schizotypy and psychotic experiences. Male subjects carrying the Val allele tended to score higher on the negative dimension of both trait and symptom-like measures. The results from the present study are consistent with recent work suggesting an association between negative schizotypy and diminished prefrontal dopamine availability. They support the idea that a biological differentiation underlies the positive and negative schizotypy dimensions. Additionally, these findings contribute to the growing literature on sex-specific effects of COMT on the predisposition to psychiatric disorders and personality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta de Castro-Catala
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain ; Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA ; Sant Pere Claver-Fundació Sanitària, Carrer Vila i Vilà 16, 08004 Barcelona, Spain ; Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Sheinbaum
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Artal Moreno-Fortuny
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain ; Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Thomas R Kwapil
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA
| | - Araceli Rosa
- Unitat d'Antropologia, Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain ; Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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12
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Hori H, Fujii T, Yamamoto N, Teraishi T, Ota M, Matsuo J, Kinoshita Y, Ishida I, Hattori K, Okazaki M, Arima K, Kunugi H. Temperament and character in remitted and symptomatic patients with schizophrenia: modulation by the COMT Val158Met genotype. J Psychiatr Res 2014; 56:82-9. [PMID: 24888672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
While research on remission in schizophrenia has gained attention, personality characteristics associated with remission in schizophrenia have been under-studied. A functional valine-to-methionine (Val158Met) polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is shown to modify clinical presentation of schizophrenia despite weak or no association with the disorder itself. Studies also report that this polymorphism can affect personality traits. We aimed to examine personality traits of remitted patients with schizophrenia as compared to symptomatic patients and healthy controls and to investigate whether the COMT Val158Met polymorphism influences their personality. Scores on the Temperament and Character Inventory were compared between 34 remitted outpatients with schizophrenia, age- and sex-matched 72 symptomatic outpatients with schizophrenia, and matched 247 healthy individuals. The effect of COMT Val158Met polymorphism on personality was examined in each group. The analysis of covariance, controlling for confounding variables, revealed that compared to healthy controls, symptomatic patients exhibited a pervasively altered personality profile whereas remitted patients showed alterations in more limited personality dimensions and demonstrated normal levels of novelty-seeking, reward dependence and cooperativeness. The two-way analysis of covariance, with genotype and sex as between-subject factors and confounders as covariates, revealed that Met carriers demonstrated significantly lower reward dependence and cooperativeness than Val homozygotes in symptomatic patients; while no significant genotype effect was found in remitted patients or in healthy individuals. These findings indicate that remitted patients with schizophrenia have a relatively adaptive personality profile compared to symptomatic patients. The COMT Val158Met polymorphism might have a modulating effect on the relationship between personality and remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Hori
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
| | - Takashi Fujii
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Noriko Yamamoto
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Toshiya Teraishi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Miho Ota
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Junko Matsuo
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Yukiko Kinoshita
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Ikki Ishida
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Kotaro Hattori
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Okazaki
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Kunimasa Arima
- Department of Psychiatry, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunugi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
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Disentangling the molecular genetic basis of personality: From monoamines to neuropeptides. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 43:228-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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14
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Abstract
The study of the biological basis of personality is a timely research endeavor, with the aim of deepening our understanding of human nature. In recent years, a growing body of research has investigated the role of the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the context of individual differences across human beings, with a focus on personality traits. A large number of different approaches have been chosen to illuminate the role of BDNF for personality, ranging from the measurement of BDNF in the serum/plasma to molecular genetics to (genetic) brain imaging. The present review provides the reader with an overview of the current state of affairs in the context of BDNF and personality.
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15
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Godar SC, Bortolato M. Gene-sex interactions in schizophrenia: focus on dopamine neurotransmission. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:71. [PMID: 24639636 PMCID: PMC3944784 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, with a highly complex and heterogenous clinical presentation. Our current perspectives posit that the pathogenic mechanisms of this illness lie in complex arrays of gene × environment interactions. Furthermore, several findings indicate that males have a higher susceptibility for schizophrenia, with earlier age of onset and overall poorer clinical prognosis. Based on these premises, several authors have recently begun exploring the possibility that the greater schizophrenia vulnerability in males may reflect specific gene × sex (G×S) interactions. Our knowledge on such G×S interactions in schizophrenia is still rudimentary; nevertheless, the bulk of preclinical evidence suggests that the molecular mechanisms for such interactions are likely contributed by the neurobiological effects of sex steroids on dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. Accordingly, several recent studies suggest a gender-specific association of certain DAergic genes with schizophrenia. These G×S interactions have been particularly documented for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO), the main enzymes catalyzing DA metabolism. In the present review, we will outline the current evidence on the interactions of DA-related genes and sex-related factors, and discuss the potential molecular substrates that may mediate their cooperative actions in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C Godar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA ; Consortium for Translational Research on Aggression and Drug Abuse, University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA
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Zhang J, Wang W, Tan Z, Wu Q, Xiao W, Shang L, Zhang Y, Peng J, Miao D. Spatial analysis of schizotypal personality traits in Chinese male youths: evidence from a GIS-based analysis of Sichuan. Int J Ment Health Syst 2014; 8:3. [PMID: 24423022 PMCID: PMC3904416 DOI: 10.1186/1752-4458-8-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schizotypal personality traits are associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, stating that schizotypal traits may represent a “prodrome” or other developmental precursor of schizophrenia. Genetic and environmental factors both play importanxt roles in the development of schizotypal traits. Different levels of schizotypal traits across regions may be indicative of similar differences in the incidence of schizophrenia. Aim The present study identifying where in a given region, schizotypal personality traits are more or less level of schizotypal personality scores in Chinese male youth of Sichuan province. Not only for research purposes but also for the evaluation of new draft and allocation policy initiatives intended to aid recruitment of mental health employees. Methods Data from the Psychological Selection Systems for Chinese Recruits, a mental health screening system used in China, collected in 2011 (67,558 copies) were used to map spatial distribution of schizotypal personality traits using geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Correlation analyses were conducted to explore the effects of years of education and illiterate rate on schizotypal personality traits. Results Maps for three schizotypal personality clinical scales (dissociative, Dit; neurotic, Net and sensitive, Set) showed similar geographical trends. The highest T scores were distributed mainly in the eastern and northern counties of Sichuan, with scores decreasing successively from east to west, with the eastern counties generally showing higher scores. Correlation analysis showed that t-scores of Set were negatively correlated with years of education, whereas t-scores of Net were negatively correlated with illiteracy rate. Conclusions Schizotypal personality traits in male youth showed specific geographical trends in Sichuan province, providing some evidence that kriging based on GIS can be used to geographically localize genetic and environmental factors associated with schizotypal personality traits. This approach could be used to help allocate public health resources to specific areas and could also have personnel selection applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
| | - Zhijun Tan
- Department of Statistics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qing Wu
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China.,Foreign Language Teaching and Researching Office of Basic Education Department, Chongqing Communication Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
| | - Lei Shang
- Department of Statistics, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
| | - Jiaxi Peng
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
| | - Danmin Miao
- Department of Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Chang Le Western Street No.169, Xi'an, Shannxi, China
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17
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Mohr C, Ettinger U. An Overview of the Association between Schizotypy and Dopamine. Front Psychiatry 2014; 5:184. [PMID: 25566103 PMCID: PMC4271513 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizotypy refers to a constellation of personality traits that are believed to mirror the subclinical expression of schizophrenia in the general population. Evidence from pharmacological studies indicates that dopamine (DA) is involved in the etiology of schizophrenia. Based on the assumption of a continuum between schizophrenia and schizotypy, researchers have begun investigating the association between DA and schizotypy using a wide range of methods. In this article, we review published studies on this association from the following areas of work: (1) experimental investigations of the interactive effects of dopaminergic challenges and schizotypy on cognition, motor control, and behavior (2), dopaminergically supported cognitive functions (3), studies of associations between schizotypy and polymorphisms in genes involved in dopaminergic neurotransmission, and (4) molecular imaging studies of the association between schizotypy and markers of the DA system. Together, data from these lines of evidence suggest that DA is important to the expression and experience of schizotypy and associated behavioral biases. An important observation is that the experimental designs, methods, and manipulations used in this research are highly heterogeneous. Future studies are required to replicate individual observations, to enlighten the link between DA and different schizotypy dimensions (positive, negative, cognitive disorganization), and to guide the search for solid DA-sensitive behavioral markers. Such studies are important in order to clarify inconsistencies between studies. More work is also needed to identify differences between dopaminergic alterations in schizotypy compared to the dysfunctions observed in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mohr
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne , Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Ettinger
- Department of Psychology, University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
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18
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Nieto R, Kukuljan M, Silva H. BDNF and schizophrenia: from neurodevelopment to neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory. Front Psychiatry 2013; 4:45. [PMID: 23785335 PMCID: PMC3683823 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that has been related not only to neurodevelopment and neuroprotection, but also to synapse regulation, learning, and memory. Research focused on the neurobiology of schizophrenia has emphasized the relevance of neurodevelopmental and neurotoxicity-related elements in the pathogenesis of this disease. Research focused on the clinical features of schizophrenia in the past decades has emphasized the relevance of cognitive deficits of this illness, considered a core manifestation and an important predictor for functional outcome. Variations in neurotrophins such as BDNF may have a role as part of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, from the neurodevelopmental alterations to the molecular mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Nieto
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - M. Kukuljan
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - H. Silva
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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19
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Nelson M, Seal M, Pantelis C, Phillips L. Evidence of a dimensional relationship between schizotypy and schizophrenia: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 37:317-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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20
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Wang Y, Li J, Chen C, Chen C, Zhu B, Moysis RK, Lei X, Li H, Liu Q, Xiu D, Liu B, Chen W, Xue G, Dong Q. COMT rs4680 Met is not always the 'smart allele': Val allele is associated with better working memory and larger hippocampal volume in healthy Chinese. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 12:323-9. [PMID: 23421762 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism plays a crucial role in regulating brain dopamine level. Converging evidence from Caucasian samples showed that, compared with rs4680 Val allele, the Met allele was linked to lower COMT activity, which in turn was linked to better cognitive performance such as working memory (WM) and to a larger hippocampus (a brain region important for WM). However, some behavioral studies have shown that the function of rs4680 appears to vary across different ethnic groups, with Chinese subjects showing an opposite pattern as that for Caucasians (i.e. the Val allele is linked to better cognitive functions related to WM in Chinese). Using a sample of healthy Han Chinese college students (ages from 19 to 21 years), this study investigated the association of COMT Val158Met genotype with behavioral data on a two-back WM task (n = 443, 189M/254F) and T1 MRI data (n = 320, 134M/186F). Results showed that, compared to the Met allele, the Val allele was associated with larger hippocampal volume (the right hippocampus: β = -0.118, t = -2.367, P = 0.019, and the left hippocampus: β = -0.099, t = -1.949, P = 0.052) and better WM performance (β = -0.110, t = -2.315, P = 0.021). These results add to the growing literature on differentiated effects of COMT rs4680 polymorphism on WM across populations and offer a brain structural mechanism for such population-specific genetic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Grant P, Kuepper Y, Mueller EA, Wielpuetz C, Mason O, Hennig J. Dopaminergic foundations of schizotypy as measured by the German version of the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE)-a suitable endophenotype of schizophrenia. Front Hum Neurosci 2013; 7:1. [PMID: 23355817 PMCID: PMC3553421 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of schizotypy or “psychosis proneness” captures individual differences in perceptual, cognitive, and affective experiences that may relate to a range of psychotic disorders. The concept is an important way to assess the contribution of pre-existing psychological and genetically based biological features to the development of illnesses such as schizophrenia (so called endophenotypes). The Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE) is a widely used multi-dimensional measure of the construct and consists of four scales which mirror several groups of psychotic symptoms: Unusual Experiences (UnEx; positive symptoms), Cognitive Disorganization (CogDis; cognitive symptoms), Introvertive Anhedonia (IntAn; negative symptoms), and Impulsive Nonconformity (ImpNon; impulsive and antisocial symptoms). For the purpose of evaluating the suitability of schizotypy as an endophenotype of schizophrenia the current version of the O-LIFE was translated into German: its psychometric properties (including re-test reliability and construct validity) were examined in a large sample (n > 1200) and compared to those of the English original. The German version was both highly reliable and consistent with the original. The study aimed to show that schizotypy as measured by the O-LIFE can indeed be regarded as an endophenotype of schizophrenia in terms of genetic associations regarding relevant dopamine-related candidate polymorphisms of schizotypy [i.e., Val158Met-polymorphism of the COMT gene, uVNTR of the MAOA gene, Taq1A-polymorphism of the DRD2 gene, VNTR of the SLC6A3 (DAT) gene]. We also wanted to compare the genetic associations of the O-LIFE to those published using other operationalizations of schizotypy. Our results show a large number of significant associations and borderline-significant trends between the O-LIFE sub-scales and a range of genes, thereby supporting using the O-LIFE in the search for endophenotypic markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Grant
- Personality Psychology and Individual Differences, Department of Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Giessen, Germany
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Cognitive and prepulse inhibition deficits in psychometrically high schizotypal subjects in the general population: relevance to schizophrenia research. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2012; 18:643-56. [PMID: 22613272 DOI: 10.1017/s135561771200029x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder share common clinical profiles, neurobiological and genetic substrates along with Prepulse Inhibition and cognitive deficits; among those, executive, attention, and memory dysfunctions are more consistent. Schizotypy is considered to be a non-specific "psychosis-proneness," and understanding the relationship between schizotypal traits and cognitive function in the general population is a promising approach for endophenotypic research in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In this review, findings for executive function, attention, memory, and Prepulse Inhibition impairments in psychometrically defined schizotypal subjects have been summarized and compared to schizophrenia patients and their unaffected first-degree relatives. Cognitive flexibility, sustained attention, working memory, and Prepulse Inhibition impairments were consistently reported in high schizotypal subjects in accordance to schizophrenia patients. Genetic studies assessing the effects of various candidate gene polymorphisms in schizotypal traits and cognitive function are promising, further supporting a polygenic mode of inheritance. The implications of the findings, methodological issues, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Ohi K, Hashimoto R, Nakazawa T, Okada T, Yasuda Y, Yamamori H, Fukumoto M, Umeda-Yano S, Iwase M, Kazui H, Yamamoto T, Kano M, Takeda M. The p250GAP gene is associated with risk for schizophrenia and schizotypal personality traits. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35696. [PMID: 22530067 PMCID: PMC3329470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypofunction of the glutamate N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. p250GAP is a brain-enriched NMDA receptor-interacting RhoGAP. p250GAP is involved in spine morphology, and spine morphology has been shown to be altered in the post-mortem brains of patients with schizophrenia. Schizotypal personality disorder has a strong familial relationship with schizophrenia. Several susceptibility genes for schizophrenia have been related to schizotypal traits. METHODS We first investigated the association of eight linkage disequilibrium-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that cover the p250GAP gene with schizophrenia in a Japanese sample of 431 schizophrenia patients and 572 controls. We then investigated the impact of the risk genetic variant in the p250GAP gene on schizotypal personality traits in 180 healthy subjects using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. RESULTS We found a significant difference in genotype frequency between the patients and the controls in rs2298599 (χ(2) = 17.6, p = 0.00015). The minor A/A genotype frequency of rs2298599 was higher in the patients (18%) than in the controls (9%) (χ(2) = 15.5, p = 0.000083). Moreover, we found that subjects with the rs2298599 risk A/A genotype, compared with G allele carriers, had higher scores of schizotypal traits (F(1,178) = 4.08, p = 0.045), particularly the interpersonal factor (F(1,178) = 5.85, p = 0.017). DISCUSSION These results suggest that a genetic variation in the p250GAP gene might increase susceptibility not only for schizophrenia but also for schizotypal personality traits. We concluded that the p250GAP gene might be a new candidate gene for susceptibility to schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutaka Ohi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
- National Hospital Organization, Yamato Mental-Medical Center, Nara, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University and Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Takanobu Nakazawa
- Division of Oncology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeya Okada
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
| | - Yuka Yasuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
| | - Hidenaga Yamamori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
- Department of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Fukumoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama, Japan
| | - Satomi Umeda-Yano
- Department of Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masao Iwase
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kazui
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Yamamoto
- Division of Oncology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Takeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University and Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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Lazar NL, Neufeld RWJ, Cain DP. Contribution of nonprimate animal models in understanding the etiology of schizophrenia. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2011; 36:E5-29. [PMID: 21247514 PMCID: PMC3120891 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that is characterized by positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. The etiology of the disorder is complex, and it is thought to follow a multifactorial threshold model of inheritance with genetic and neurodevelop mental contributions to risk. Human studies are particularly useful in capturing the richness of the phenotype, but they are often limited to the use of correlational approaches. By assessing behavioural abnormalities in both humans and rodents, nonprimate animal models of schizophrenia provide unique insight into the etiology and mechanisms of the disorder. This review discusses the phenomenology and etiology of schizophrenia and the contribution of current nonprimate animal models with an emphasis on how research with models of neuro transmitter dysregulation, environmental risk factors, neurodevelopmental disruption and genetic risk factors can complement the literature on schizophrenia in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah L Lazar
- Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont.
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Yasuda Y, Hashimoto R, Ohi K, Fukumoto M, Umeda-Yano S, Yamamori H, Okochi T, Iwase M, Kazui H, Iwata N, Takeda M. Impact on schizotypal personality trait of a genome-wide supported psychosis variant of the ZNF804A gene. Neurosci Lett 2011; 495:216-20. [PMID: 21457757 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Importance of the COMT gene for sex differences in brain function and predisposition to psychiatric disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2010; 8:119-40. [PMID: 21769726 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2010_97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As outlined elsewhere in this volume, sex differences can affect brain function and its dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. It is known that genetic factors contribute to these sex dimorphisms, but the individual genes have rarely been identified. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, which encodes an enzyme that metabolises catechol compounds, including dopamine, is a leading candidate in this regard. COMT's enzyme activity, and the neurochemistry and behaviour of COMT knockout mice are both markedly sexually dimorphic. Furthermore, genetic associations between COMT and psychiatric phenotypes frequently show differences between men and women. Although many of these differences are unconfirmed or minor, some appear to be of reasonable robustness and magnitude and are reviewed in this chapter. Sexually dimorphic effects of COMT are usually attributed to transcriptional regulation by oestrogens; however, a careful examination of the literature suggests that additional mechanisms are likely to be at least as important. Here, we review the evidence for a sexually dimorphic influence of COMT upon psychiatric phenotypes and brain function, and discuss potential mechanisms by which this may occur. We conclude that despite the evidence being incomplete, there are accumulating and in places compelling data showing that COMT has markedly sexually dimorphic effects on brain function and its dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. Although oestrogenic regulation of COMT is probably partially responsible for these sex differences, other mechanisms are likely also involved. Since sex differences in the genetic architecture of brain function and psychiatric disorders are the rule not the exception, we anticipate that additional evidence will emerge for sexual dimorphisms, not only in COMT but also in many other autosomal genes.
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Olgiati P, Mandelli L, Lorenzi C, Marino E, Adele P, Ferrari B, De Ronchi D, Serretti A. Schizophrenia: genetics, prevention and rehabilitation. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2009; 21:109-20. [PMID: 26953749 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5215.2009.00360.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genetic factors are largely implicated in predisposing to schizophrenia. Environmental factors contribute to the onset of the disorder in individuals at increased genetic risk. Cognitive deficits have emerged as endophenotypes and potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia because of their association with functional outcome. The aims of this review were to analyse the joint effect of genetic and environmental (G×E) factors on liability to schizophrenia and to investigate relationships between genes and cognitive endophenotypes focusing on practical applications for prevention and rehabilitation. METHODS Medline search of relevant studies published between 1990 and 2008. RESULTS In schizophrenia, examples of G×E interaction include the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) (Val158Met) polymorphism, which was found to moderate the onset of psychotic manifestations in response to stress and to increase the risk for psychosis related to cannabis use, and neurodevelopmental genes such as AKT1 (serine-threonine kinase), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), DTNBP1 (dysbindin) and GRM3 (metabotropic glutamate receptor 3), which were associated with development of schizophrenia in adulthood after exposure to perinatal obstetric complications. Neurocognitive deficits are recognised as core features of schizophrenia that facilitate the onset of the disorder and have a great impact on functional outcome. Neurocognitive deficits are also endophenotypes that have been linked to a variety of genes [COMT, neuregulin (NRG1), BDNF, Disrupted-In-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) and dysbindin] conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia. Recently, it has emerged that cognitive improvement during rehabilitation therapy was under control of COMT (Val158Met) polymorphism. CONCLUSION This review could indicate a pivotal role of psychiatric genetics in prevention and rehabilitation of schizophrenic psychoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Olgiati
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University, Italy
| | - Laura Mandelli
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University, Italy
| | - Cristina Lorenzi
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Marino
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Pirovano Adele
- 2Department of Psychiatry, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Ferrari
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University, Italy
| | - Diana De Ronchi
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University, Italy
| | - Alessandro Serretti
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Bologna University, Italy
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Prasad KM, Sanders R, Sweeney J, Montrose D, Diwadkar V, Dworakowski D, Miewald J, Keshavan M. Neurological abnormalities among offspring of persons with schizophrenia: relation to premorbid psychopathology. Schizophr Res 2009; 108:163-9. [PMID: 19108992 PMCID: PMC3163440 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2008.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2008] [Revised: 11/12/2008] [Accepted: 11/17/2008] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurological Examination Abnormalities (NEA, often called "neurological soft signs") have been observed in early schizophrenia and may be heritable. We investigated the prevalence, and neurocognitive and psychopathological correlates of NEA among offspring of schizophrenia patients who are at increased genetic risk for this illness. METHODS Neurological examinations were conducted on high risk (HR, n=74) and healthy comparison subjects (HS, n=86), using the Heinrichs-Buchanan scale. Cognitive-perceptual (CogPer) and repetitive motor (RepMot) subscores, and total NEA scores were computed. All HR and HS were assessed using K-SADS/SCID for diagnoses. Schizotypy was measured using the Magical Ideation and the Perceptual Aberration subscales (Chapman scale), attention using Continuous Performance Test (CPT-IP) and executive functions using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). RESULTS CogPer (F(1,160)=7.14, p=0.008) but not RepMot NEA scores were higher in HR subjects compared to HS after controlling for age and sex. CogPer NEA scores were higher in HR subjects with axis I psychopathology compared to those without (F(2,170)-6.41, p=0.002). HR subjects had higher schizotypy scores (composite of the magical ideation and perceptual aberration scales) (F(1,141)=23.25, p=0.000004). Schizotypy scores were negatively correlated with sustained attention and executive functions. In addition, schizotypy was positively correlated with CogPer NEA scores. CONCLUSIONS Young relatives at increased genetic risk for schizophrenia show more frequent NEA. CogPer but not RepMot NEA scores were elevated, consistent with our prior observation of CogPer NEA being relatively specific for schizophrenia. The observed relationships between NEA, cognitive impairments, schizotypy and axis I disorders suggest that NEA may characterize a subgroup of HR offspring at an elevated risk for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konasale M. Prasad
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Corresponding author. (K.M. Prasad)
| | - Richard Sanders
- Dayton VA and Wright State University, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - John Sweeney
- University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Debra Montrose
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Vaibhav Diwadkar
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Diana Dworakowski
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jean Miewald
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Matcheri Keshavan
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Docherty AR, Sponheim SR. Anhedonia as a phenotype for the Val158Met COMT polymorphism in relatives of patients with schizophrenia. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2009; 117:788-98. [PMID: 19025226 DOI: 10.1037/a0013745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The Val(158)Met polymorphism of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been associated with aspects of schizophrenia that are possibly related to the disorder's pathogenesis. The present study investigated the Val(158)Met polymorphism in relation to anhedonia--a construct central to negative schizotypy. Anhedonia and other schizotypal characteristics were assessed in relatives of patients with schizophrenia, relatives of patients with bipolar disorder, and nonpsychiatric controls using the Chapman schizotypy scales and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Compared with controls, relatives of individuals with schizophrenia had elevated scores on Chapman scales for social anhedonia and physical anhedonia, while relatives of patients with bipolar disorder exhibited only increased scores on the Social Anhedonia Scale. As a group, relatives of patients with schizophrenia who were homozygous for the val allele of the COMT polymorphism showed the highest elevations in self-reported social and physical anhedonia. Associations with the COMT polymorphism were absent in relatives of patients with bipolar disorder and control participants. Findings suggest that anhedonia is manifest in individuals who carry genetic liability for schizophrenia and is associated with the Val(158)Met polymorphism of the COMT gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Docherty
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
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Henquet C, Di Forti M, Morrison P, Kuepper R, Murray RM. Gene-environment interplay between cannabis and psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2008; 34:1111-21. [PMID: 18723841 PMCID: PMC2632498 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbn108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis use is considered a contributory cause of schizophrenia and psychotic illness. However, only a small proportion of cannabis users develop psychosis. This can partly be explained by the amount and duration of the consumption of cannabis and by its strength but also by the age at which individuals are first exposed to cannabis. Genetic factors, in particular, are likely to play a role in the short- and the long-term effects cannabis may have on psychosis outcome. This review will therefore consider the interplay between genes and exposure to cannabis in the development of psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia. Studies using genetic, epidemiological, experimental, and observational techniques will be discussed to investigate gene-environment correlation gene-environment interaction, and higher order interactions within the cannabis-psychosis association. Evidence suggests that mechanisms of gene-environment interaction are likely to underlie the association between cannabis and psychosis. In this respect, multiple variations within multiple genes--rather than single genetic polymorphisms--together with other environmental factors (eg, stress) may interact with cannabis to increase the risk of psychosis. Further research on these higher order interactions is needed to better understand the biological pathway by which cannabis use, in some individuals, may cause psychosis in the short- and long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Henquet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Marta Di Forti
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Morrison
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Kuepper
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robin M. Murray
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, United Kingdom
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Sheldrick AJ, Krug A, Markov V, Leube D, Michel TM, Zerres K, Eggermann T, Kircher T. Effect of COMT val158met genotype on cognition and personality. Eur Psychiatry 2008; 23:385-9. [PMID: 18755576 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2008.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2007] [Revised: 05/14/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene encoding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme which regulates prefrontal cortex dopamine, contains a common functional single nucleotide polymorphism (val158met, rs4680G/A), which accounts for part of the interindividual variance in performance during working memory tasks and also predicts personality traits. We examined the relationship between the val158met polymorphism and cognitive function as well as personality traits in 522 healthy individuals (mean age: 24.75 years, SD=5.84, mean years of education: 15.59, SD=2.65). COMT val158met genotype was related in allele dosage fashion to performance in an executive function test, with the met/met carriers scoring highest. Subjects carrying the met/met genotype also scored higher in the disorganization domain of the SPQ-B personality inventory. Consistent with evidence from previous studies, higher dopamine availability of the met/met genotype enhances prefrontally mediated executive function in healthy individuals. Furthermore, we replicated findings from a recent study whereby the COMT genotype also predicts disorganized personality features.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Sheldrick
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
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Abstract
This article provides an overview of the past year's literature on schizophrenia genetics. Quantitative genetics continues to be an important foundation in which family and twin studies have been used to evaluate potential endophenotypes. Research in molecular genetics has focused on detecting multiple genes of small effect, and developments relating to key positional and functional candidate genes are reviewed. Large-scale, multicenter studies are proving to be important in this quest. Research using neuroimaging and animal modeling studies continues to link genotype with phenotype. It is increasingly apparent that some candidate genes considered important in schizophrenia are likely to be relevant to the etiology of other psychotic disorders, including bipolar disorder. This notion may challenge traditional disease classifications, not only in research but potentially in clinical practice.
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