Does the bipolar disorder-associated CACNA1C gene confer susceptibility to schizophrenia in Han Chinese?

J Mol Neurosci. 2013 Oct;51(2):474-7. doi: 10.1007/s12031-013-0079-4. Epub 2013 Jul 31.

Abstract

The gene coding for the calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1C subunit (CACNA1C) has been reported to be associated with bipolar disorder (BD) in our previous study. Broad evidence suggests some degree of shared genetic susceptibility between BD and schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the BD-associated gene CACNA1C confers susceptibility to schizophrenia. The association was assessed using a cross section study of 696 schizophrenia patients and 1,114 matched control subjects of Han Chinese origin. Between-group comparisons of genotypic or allelic frequencies showed no statistically significant differences. CACNA1C is unlikely to play a major role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia in Han Chinese. Further large-scale replication studies using a haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphism selection approach are required to obtain more conclusive results of any potential association.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bipolar Disorder / genetics
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • China
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Schizophrenia / genetics*

Substances

  • CACNA1C protein, human
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type