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

August 20, 2013 updated by: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong

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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

32

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • China
      • Hong Kong, China
        • NTE Cluster under HA
      • Hong Kong, China
        • Shatin Hospital
      • Hong Kong, China
        • Tai Po Hospital
      • Hong Kong, China
        • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hospital Authority, Hong Kong

Collaborators

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Dicky WS Chung, Dr, Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital

Publications and helpful links

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Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 2004

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 21, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 23, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

November 26, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

August 22, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 20, 2013

Last Verified

August 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • CREC-2004, 247
  • HARECCTR0500025

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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