Negative association between T102C polymorphism at the 5-HT2A receptor gene and bipolar affective disorders in Singaporean Chinese

Abstract

Background: Serotonergic system abnormalities have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bipolar affective disorders. The 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2A (5HTR2A) receptor gene located on chromosome 13 (13q14-21) can be considered as a candidate gene for bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). Methods: Seventy-two patients with BPAD and 74 normal population controls were genotyped with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the 5HTR2A receptor gene. Results: We report a negative association between 5HTR2A receptor gene and BPAD. The association was examined using a case-control design. Allele and genotype frequencies as well as homozygote-heterozygote distribution at the 5HTR2A receptor gene polymorphism were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the allelic or genotype frequencies and the homozygote-heterozygote distributions. Limitations: Patients were recruited from one hospital in Singapore. The case-control study design needs replication. Conclusion: Our finding indicates that the 5HTR2A receptor gene polymorphism is not a major factor in the genetic susceptibility to BPAD in Singaporean Chinese. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.