RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The gene encoding the regulator of G-protein signaling 4 has recently been associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia. This finding is particularly interesting, because it was replicated within the same study and also because there are functional, positional, and expression data to support the regulator of G-protein signaling 4 as a schizophrenia candidate gene. Although the original report was highly suggestive, a limitation was that the study was conducted on rather small samples. METHODS: We have examined a large case (n = 709) control (n = 710) sample for association between schizophrenia using four markers investigated in the earlier study, denoted single nucleotide polymorphisms 1, 4, 7, and 18. RESULTS: We were able to replicate the associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms 4 and 18 that had previously been reported individually and have also identified significant association with haplotypes constructed from single nucleotide polymorphisms 1 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: Our data give modest support for the hypothesis that the regulator of G-protein signaling 4 is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.
Asunto(s)
Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Proteínas RGS/genética , Esquizofrenia/genética , Adulto , Alanina/genética , Alelos , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales , Femenino , Genotipo , Glicina/genética , Humanos , Desequilibrio de Ligamiento , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , ARN Mensajero/biosíntesis , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa/métodos , Treonina/genéticaRESUMEN
Commenting on the poor physical health and mortality of patients with schizophrenia (art & science January 28), Steven Pack writes: 'Health interventions, such as the provision of free fruit and vegetables and the prescription of vitamin supplements, would be a start.'
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In the past 10 years the new atypical antipsychotic drugs have stimulated further interest in the pharmacological management of schizophrenia. The risk of movement disorders has been reported to be less with these new agents. AIMS: To examine the current prevalence of movement disorders among all people with schizophrenia in a discrete geographical area, to compare the prevalence in patients receiving and not receiving atypical antipsychotic drugs; and to compare current prevalence with prevalence over the past 20 years. METHOD: In Nithsdale, south-west Scotland, in 1999/2000, we replicated previous studies by using the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale, Simpson-Angus scale and Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale to measure tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonism and akathisia, respectively. Mental state was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS: In 136 patients the prevalence of probable tardive dyskinesia was 43%, of parkinsonism 35% and of akathisia 15%. Parkinsonism was present as often in those receiving atypicals as in those receiving standard oral antipsychotics. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia has doubled over 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: Movement disorders remain significant problems for patients despite the introduction of atypical antipsychotic drugs.