Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups and age at onset of schizophrenia

✍ Scribed by Chiara Magri; Rita Gardella; Stefano Davide Barlati; Paolo Valsecchi; Emilio Sacchetti; Sergio Barlati

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 126 KB
• Volume: 144B
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1552-4841
• DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.30496

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

A number of studies support a possible link between mitochondrial dysfunction and schizophrenia. To test the hypothesis of a direct contribution of mitochondrial DNA (mt‐DNA) in susceptibility to DSM‐IV‐TR‐schizophrenia, we looked for differences in the frequency distribution of the major European haplogroups (hgs) in 142 patients and 190 controls both of Italian origin. A subgroup of patients (N = 37) and healthy counterparts (N = 41) was also analyzed for possible differences in the relative amount of mt‐DNA versus nuclear‐DNA in blood cells. Patients and controls were comparable for hg frequency distribution and the relative levels of mt‐DNA even after stratification by gender and schizophrenia subtype. However, patients harboring the hg J‐T showed an anticipated onset of the disorder. These results indicate that the J‐T hg of mt‐DNA may have a modulator effect on deeper determinants of schizophrenia. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.