Population genetic study of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene.

ABSTRACT: Genetic variants in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, predominantly the functional Val66Met polymorphism, have been associated with risk of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders. However, not all studies support these findings, and overall the evidence for the association of BDNF with disease risk is weak. As differences in population genetic structure between patient samples could cause discrepant or spurious association results, we investigated this possibility by carrying out population genetic analyses of the BDNF genomic region. Substantial variation was detected in BDNF coding region single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele and haplotype frequencies between 58 global populations, with the derived Met allele of Val66Met ranging in frequency from 0 to 72%

SUBMITTER: Petryshen TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2888876 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature