Epigenetic changes of DRD2 gene in pathogenesis of schizophrenia

Abd. Rahim, Nour El Huda and Rahim, Mohd Nabil Fikri and Ku Zaifah, Norsidah and Mohd Noor, Hanisah and Abdullah, Kartini and A. Talib, Norlelawati (2017) Epigenetic changes of DRD2 gene in pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In: Medical Research Symposium 2017, 10th August 2017, Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.

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Abstract

Introduction: The dopamine hypothesis has earlier dominated the theories for the development of schizophrenia based on the early pharmacologic evidence. The antipsychotic drugs, among others, is thought to interfere with the function of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) resulting in clinical improvement. Accumulating evidence suggest the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Despite this, specific evidence linking the DRD2 DNA methylation with schizophrenia is insufficient mainly due to the poor accessibility and limited brain samples. Of late, new data has suggested the global impact of DNA methylation in the development of schizophrenia, thus methylation in the peripheral blood could infer changes in the brain. Therefore, the aim of the study is to assess the DRD2 DNA methylation in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia. Materials and method: The case control study consisted of 138 schizophrenia patients from the Psychiatry Clinic, Hospital Kuantan Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan Pahang and 132 healthy controls from Kuantan district. The genomic DNA from the peripheral blood was bisulfite converted. The DRD2 DNA methylation level was quantitatively measured by using the MethyLight Taqman® assay and normalized with the ALU reference control to give the percentage methylation ratio. The demographic data were calculated using descriptive statistics while parametric variables were compared using independent samples t-test or analysis of covariance. Results: There was a significant hypomethylation of DRD2 in schizophrenia as compared to the control group (p=0.001). The hypomethylation was also significant in males (p=0.007) and females (p=0.036) patients. Conclusion: This study strongly support the possible role of DNA methylation of DRD2 gene could contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech/Talk)
Additional Information:	6300/59600
Uncontrolled Keywords:	DRD2 gene, pathogenesis, schizophrenia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Basic Medical
Depositing User:	Dr Nour El Huda Abd Rahim
Date Deposited:	27 Nov 2017 18:18
Last Modified:	27 Nov 2017 18:18
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/59600

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