Polymorphisms in genes involved in neurodevelopment may be associated with altered brain morphology in schizophrenia: Preliminary evidence

Reelin-mediated signaling in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases

“…The gene product of disc1 is part of a microtubule motor complex, which is controlled by the Reelin and LIS1 signaling pathway (Assadi et al, 2003) and mutations in this gene result in abnormal development of the cortex (Kamiya et al, 2005). However, other genetic association screenings have yielded inconclusive results, including the searches for associations between reelin polymorphisms and schizophrenia (Akahane et al, 2002;Chen et al, 2002;Goldberger et al, 2005;Huang and Chen, 2006;Persico et al, 2006;Shifman et al, 2008;Gregorio et al, 2009). In contrast, a strong correlation between S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), DNMT1, hypermethylation of the reelin promoter, and decreased Reelin expression in postmortem brains of subjects with schizophrenia has been reported Veldic et al, 2004;Abdolmaleky et al, 2005;Grayson et al, 2005;Guidotti et al, 2007;Ruzicka et al, 2007;Tochigi et al, 2008).…”

A systematic review of the effect of genes mediating neurodevelopment and neurotransmission on brain morphology: Focus on schizophrenia

“…Gregorio et al 44 examined the association of 32 polymorphisms located in 30 genes with brain structural data in patients with schizophrenia (N = 25). Genes involved in neurogenesis and brain development were selected for the analysis.…”

Cadherins as Targets for Genetic Diseases

“…More recently, a preliminary report analyzed 32 polymorphisms in 30 genes, including protocadherin a3, b11, cluster a (PCDHa8 and PCDHa10), and protocadherin 12 genes, in schizophrenic patients with abnormal neurodevelopment. These studies revealed an association between a polymorphism in protocadherin 12 (S640 N) and cortical folding (asymmetry coefficient of gyrification index) (Gregorio et al 2009). Yet, further studies are needed to confirm this finding.…”