Background: The association between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene and schizophrenia has been studied though no conclusive outcomes have been attained. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the relation between three polymorphisms of the DRD2 gene (C957T, TaqI and Ser311Cys) and schizophrenia.
Methods: The search was made in PubMed and EBSCO databases (up to February 2016). The systematic review included 34 case-control association studies (34 for C957T, 16 for TaqI and 36 for Ser311Cys). The association analysis comprised the allelic, additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models. The meta-analysis was performed following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.
Results: The meta-analysis showed that TaqI (additive model: OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.30-1.14) and C957T (additive model: OR 0.75, 95% OR 0.58-0.97, recessive model: OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.98) exert a protective effect against developing schizophrenia. However, the sub-analysis for the C957T variant showed that this polymorphism exhibits a risk factor effect on Chinese individuals (allelic model: OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.70).
Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggests an association of the DRD2 gene and the risk for schizophrenia, given that TaqI and C957T polymorphisms presented a protective effect against schizophrenia, and in the sub-analyses the C957T variant increased the risk for this disorder in the Chinese population.
Keywords: DRD2 gene; Meta-analysis; Polymorphism; Schizophrenia; Systematic review.