Gender differences in associations of glutamate decarboxylase 1 gene (GAD1) variants with panic disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Panic disorder is common (5% prevalence) and females are twice as likely to be affected as males. The heritable component of panic disorder is estimated at 48%. Glutamic acid dehydrogenase GAD1, the key enzyme for the synthesis of the inhibitory and anxiolytic neurotransmitter GABA, is supposed to influence various mental disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders. In a recent association study in depression, which is highly comorbid with panic disorder, GAD1 risk allele associations were restricted to females.

Methodology/principal findings

Nineteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging the common variation in GAD1 were genotyped in two independent gender and age matched case-control samples (discovery sample n = 478; replication sample n = 584). Th

SUBMITTER: Weber H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3360757 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature