Variants in the 15q25 gene cluster are associated with risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rates of tobacco smoking are significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia compared with the general population. The underlying mechanism for this comorbidity is unclear. One hypothesis is that there are common genetic factors that predispose to both nicotine dependence (ND) and schizophrenia. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined the association of the 15q25 gene cluster, the most significant candidate region to date implicated in ND and smoking behavior, with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Methods

Five variants in the 15q25 gene cluster (rs951266, rs16969968, rs1051730, rs8040868, and rs17477223) were selected to test for association with schizophrenia diagnosis, bipolar disorder diagnosis, and the presence of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

SUBMITTER: Jackson KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3644701 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature