Original article

Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research 2010;13(2):104-115.

환청이 동반된 한국인 정신분열병 환자에서 유전자 다형성에 대한 연구

Se Hoon Kim, MD1, Sun Min Jung, MD, PhD2, Sun Hee Kim, MD, PhD3, Cheol Min Kim, MD, PhD3 and Bong Ju Jung, MD, PhD

Abstract

Objectives:There are strong evidences for genetic contribution to schizophrenia. Auditory hallucination and delusion are considered as core symptoms of schizophrenia. However, informations on the susceptible gene related to schizophrenia and the core psychotic symptoms has been limited. To address the possible role of genetic polymorphism in predisposition to schizophrenia and persistence of psychotic symptoms, an association study was carried out in Korean schizophrenic patients with auditory hallucination.
Methods:Two hundred controls and 198 Korean patients diagnosed as schizophrenia were selected as study subjects. Patients were divided into episodic hallucination group (161 patients) and persistent hallucination group (37 patients) Genotypes of 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5 genes including Dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), Cholecystokinin A receptor (CCKAR) and Forkhead box protein P2 (FOXP2) were determined to assess the relationship between genotypes and schizophrenia, and the relationship between genotypes and the psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. Auditory hallucination and delusion were evaluated by Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).
Results:A statistically significant excess in CT or TT genotype of FOXP2 rs17137124 was observed in controls. In analysis of hallucination items on PSYRATS and PANSS, a statistically significant excess in CT or TT genotype of FOXP2 rs17137124 was observed in controls. In analysis of delusion items on PSYRATS and PANSS, a statistically significant excess in CT or TT genotype of FOXP2 rs17137124 was observed in controls.
Conclusion:Our results suggest that the FOXP2 rs17137124 may play a role in conferring susceptibility to Korean schizophrenic patients and CT or TT genotypes may be an important factor in auditory hallucination and delusion. (Korean J Schizophr Res 2010;13:104-115)

Key Words: FOXP2,Polymorphism,Schizophrenia,Auditory hallucination.