Psychiatry Investig.  2014 Apr;11(2):186-191. 10.4306/pi.2014.11.2.186.

A Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 Gene Variant is Associated with Clinical Symptomatology in Patients with First-Episode Psychosis

• Vazquez-Bourgon J
• Mata I
• Roiz-Santianez R
• Ayesa-Arriola R
• Suarez Pinilla P
• Tordesillas-Gutierrez D
• Vazquez-Barquero JL
• Crespo-Facorro B

• KMID: 1994610
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2014.11.2.186

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
DISC1 gene is one of the main candidate genes for schizophrenia since it has been associated to the illness in several populations. Moreover, variations in several DISC1 polymorphisms, and in particular Ser704Cys SNP, have been associated in schizophrenic patients to structural and functional modifications in two brain areas (pre-frontal cortex and hippocampus) that play a central role in the genesis of psychotic symptoms. This study tested the association between Ser704Cys DISC1 polymorphism and the clinical onset of psychosis.
METHODS
Two hundred and thirteen Caucasian drug-naive patients experiencing a first episode of non-affective psychosis were genotyped for rs821616 (Ser704Cys) SNP of the DISC1 gene. The clinical severity of the illness was assessed using SAPS and SANS scales. Other clinical and socio-demographic variables were recorded to rule out possible confounding effects.
RESULTS
Patients homozygous for the Ser allele of the Ser704Cys DISC1 SNP had significantly (p<0.05) higher rates at the positive symptoms dimension (SAPS-SANS scales) and hallucinations item, compared to Cys carriers.
CONCLUSION
DISC1 gene variations may modulate the clinical severity of the psychosis at the onset of the disorder.

Keyword

DISC1 ser704cys; Genetics; Hallucinations; Schizophrenia; Severity of illness

MeSH Terms

Alleles
Brain
Genetics
Hallucinations
Humans
Psychotic Disorders*
Schizophrenia
Weights and Measures