J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2002 Mar;41(2):223-231.

Analysis of a Functional Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism of Normal Controls and Patients with Schizophrenia in Korean Population

• Kim JJ
• Kwon OJ
• Lee SJ
• Kim SB
• Lee CU
• Lee C
• Paik IH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which might play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. As atypical antipsychotics, which antagonize serotonin receptors, exert effects on negative symptoms of schizophrenia, perturbation of serotonin system has been thought as a good indicator to probe the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Serotonin transporter is crucial for regulating serotonergic neurotransmission and has a deletion/insertion polymorphism of the gene's transcriptional initiation site. This study was designed to examine the association of schizophrenia and polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR).
METHODS
Genomic DNA analysis with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for genetic typing of polymorphism of 5-HTTLPR. It was carried out among a total of 111 patients with schizophrenia and 208 normal controls. The significances of genetic association of the polymorphisms with the disease and with clinical variables were estimated by chi-square test and analysis of variances.
RESULTS
The results were as follows: 1) There were no significant differences in allelic or genotype frequencies between the group of patients with schizophrenia and controls. 2) There were no significant differences in positive syndrome scale score of positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), duration of illness and number of admission according to 5-HTTLPR genotypes. 3) There was a difference in age at onset according to 5-HTTLPR genotypes. 4) There was a significant difference in negative syndrome scale score and general psychopathology score of PANSS according to 5-HTTLPR genotypes.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene might be related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Keyword

Schizophrenia; Serotonin transporter; 5-HTTLPR; Polymorphism

MeSH Terms

Antipsychotic Agents
DNA
Genotype
Humans
Neurotransmitter Agents
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Psychopathology
Receptors, Serotonin
Schizophrenia*
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins*
Serotonin*
Synaptic Transmission
Antipsychotic Agents
DNA
Neurotransmitter Agents
Receptors, Serotonin
Serotonin
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins