A linkage study between the GABAA beta2 and GABAA gamma2 subunit genes and major psychoses

CNS Spectr. 2005 Jan;10(1):57-61. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900009913.

Abstract

Background: Alterations of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of major psychoses.

Objective: Restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with the human gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) beta2 and GABAA gamma2 subunit genes on chromosome 5q32-q35 were tested to determine whether they confer susceptibility to major psychoses.

Methods: Thirty-two schizophrenic families and 25 bipolar families were tested for linkage.

Results: Nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis performed by GENEHUNTER showed no significant NPL scores for both genes in schizophrenia (GABAA beta2: NPL narrow= -0.450; NPL broad= -0.808; GABAA gamma2: NPL narrow=0.177; NPL broad= -0.051) or bipolar disorder (GABAA beta2: NPL narrow=0.834; NPL broad=0.783; GABAA gamma2: NPL narrow= -0.159; NPL broad=0.070).

Conclusion: Linkage analysis does not support the hypothesis that variants within the GABAA beta2 and GABAA gamma2 genes are significantly linked to major psychoses in a Portuguese population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bipolar Disorder / genetics
  • Bipolar Disorder / metabolism
  • Genetic Linkage / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Population Surveillance / methods
  • Prefrontal Cortex / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits / genetics*
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Psychotic Disorders / genetics*
  • Psychotic Disorders / metabolism
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
  • Receptors, GABA-B / genetics*
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Receptors, GABA-B