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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: a Population Association Analysis With Hong Kong Chinese

NCT ID: NCT00562926

Last Updated: 2013-08-22

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

32 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2004-07-31

Study Completion Date

2006-06-30

Brief Summary

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Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It is involved in a wide spectrum of physiological functions, from sleep and sedation to convulsions. A defect in neurotransmission involving GABA in schizophrenia was first propsed in early 1970s, based on neuropathologcial evidence, yet there is a lack of molecular genetic evidence.

Recently, we carried out a pilot study on a region of the GABA-A receptor β2 subunit gene on chromosome 5 and found significant association for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene sequence with occurrence of schizophrenia. The current proposal aims to validate this important finding and to conduct a thorough scanning of the complete gene sequences of the GABA-A receptor subunit genes in this chromosomal region, including the three major subunits α1, β2 and γ2. We shall collect samples from Hong Kong Chinese subjects for a case-control study using haplotype maps and comparing the SNP haplotype frequencies in the receptor genes, and hence examine whether these genes are in association with schizophrenia, or other schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, including Alzheimer's disease presenting with psychotic symptoms.

Based on the observation that patients suffering from the catatonic subtype of schizophrenia respond particularly well to benzodiazepines, which bind specifically to GABA-A receptors, we shall also perform data analysis in terms of correlating SNP association with schizophrenia subtypes. Association of GABA-A receptor genes with schizophrenia would be a major step forward to determining whether these genes are susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, thereby paving the way to more effective diagnosis and treatment for this debilitating disease.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Schizophrenia

Keywords

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Schizophrenia Schizophrenia spectrum disorder

Study Design

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Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Interventions

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Extraction of 10ml blood sample for extraction of genomic DNA using DNA purification kits

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

(For patients:)

* Diagnosis of schizophrenia under DSM-IV guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria

(For controls:)

* Subjects who are known to have blood transmitted disease.
* Past or current alcohol and /or substance abuse.
* Past or current major medical and neurological conditions.

(For patients:)

* As for controls, excepr 3. "neurological conditions" does not include schizophrenia.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Chinese University of Hong Kong

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Hospital Authority, Hong Kong

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role lead

Principal Investigators

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Dicky WS Chung, Dr

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital

Locations

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NTE Cluster under HA

Hong Kong, , China

Site Status

Shatin Hospital

Hong Kong, , China

Site Status

Tai Po Hospital

Hong Kong, , China

Site Status

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Hong Kong, , China

Site Status

Countries

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China

Other Identifiers

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HARECCTR0500025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

CREC-2004, 247

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id