Tryptophan research in panic disorder.

A considerable body of evidence suggests the involvement of serotonin neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of panic disorder. Research on pathways and functions of tryptophan, an essential amino acid converted into serotonin, may advance our understanding of serotonergic actions in panic disorder and related phenomena. The investigative approaches in this field include manipulations of tryptophan availability as well as genetic association and functional brain imaging studies. In this review we examine the principle findings of these studies and propose further research directions

Polymorphisms of IKBKE gene are associated with major depressive disorder and panic disorder

Background The immune system has been increasingly implicated in the development of mood and anxiety disorders. Inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells, kinase epsilon (IKBKE) gene encodes IKKε protein that is involved in innate immunity, predominantly antiviral response generation. It also bears pro‐inflammatory properties that could affect psychiatric outcomes. In order to investigate the possible role of IKBKE gene in major depressive disorder (MDD) and panic disorder (PD), we conducted a case–control genetic association study concerning these disorders. Methods In all, 14 SNPs of IKBKE gene were genotyped in groups of 391 patients with MDD and 190 patients with PD together with respective 389 and 371 healthy control individuals. The given groups were further divided by gender for additional analyses. Results Substantial genetic associations were revealed between IKBKE SNPs and MDD (multiple testing adjusted P 0.05). In addition, two SNPs that were only associated with PD among males, also displayed significantly different allele frequencies compared to PD females. This may indicate a specific role of these SNPs in male PD, but caution should be applied here due to the small size of the studied PD males group. Conclusions The results of this study confirm our initial findings and indicate a possible role of IKBKE gene in mood and anxiety disorders

Associations between LSAMP gene polymorphisms and major depressive disorder and panic disorder

The purpose of this case–control genetic association study was to explore potential relationships between polymorphisms in the limbic system-associated membrane protein (LSAMP) gene and mood and anxiety disorders. A total of 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the LSAMP gene were analyzed in 591 unrelated patients with the diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) or panic disorder (PD) and in 384 healthy control subjects. The results showed a strong association between LSAMP SNPs and MDD, and a suggestive association between LSAMP SNPs and PD. This is the first evidence of a possible role of LSAMP gene in mood and anxiety disorders in humans

Analysis of SNP profiles in patients with major depressive disorder

The present study focused on 91 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 21 candidate genes to find associations with major depressive disorder (MDD). In total, 160 healthy controls and 177 patients with MDD were studied. We applied arrayed primer extension (APEX) based genotyping technology followed by association and haplotype analysis. SNPs in CCKAR, DRD1, DRD2, and HTR2C genes showed nominally significant associations with MDD. None of these associations remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Haplotype analysis revealed CCKAR haplotypes to be associated with MDD (global p=0.004). More precisely, we found the GAGT haplotype to be associated with increased risk for MDD (OR 7.42, 95% CI 2.13–25.85, p=0.002). This haplotype effect remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p=0.04 after Bonferroni's adjustment). Altogether we were able to find some nominal associations, but due to small sample size these results should be taken as exploratory. However, the effect of GAGT haplotype on the CCKAR gene may be considered as increasing the risk for MDD

P.8.028 Associations between genetic polymorphisms of cholecystokinin and its receptors and personality traits

Poster abstrac

Effectiveness of whole exome sequencing in unsolved patients with a clinical suspicion of a mitochondrial disorder in Estonia

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