RGS4 Polymorphisms and Neurobiology of Schizophrenia

RGS4 多态性与精神分裂症的神经生物学

• 批准号: 7107958
• 负责人: Konasale M Prasad
• 金额: $ 17.54万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-08-05 至 2010-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7107958
• 关键词: G protein; biological signal transduction; brain imaging /visualization /scanning; brain morphology; cerebral cortex; clinical research; gene expression; genetic polymorphism; human subject; magnetic resonance imaging; morphometry; neurobiology; patient oriented research; phenotype; schizophrenia

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Research Career Development plan proposes a program of training and research designed to clarify the in vivo biological impact of variations in the gene encoding regulator of G-protein signaling subtype 4 (RGS4) polymorphisms in schizophrenia patients, individuals at risk for schizophrenia and matched healthy subjects. Demonstrating an association between genetic variations and intermediate phenotypes provides an important additional support for genetic association. RGS4 underexpression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of schizophrenia patients is reported. Subsequently, an association of RGS4 gene with schizophrenia has been reported in 7 independently ascertained populations in USA, Europe, india and Brazil. Our preliminary studies showed smaller DLPFC in schizophrenia patients homozygous for allele T of SNP4 and allele A of SNP18 but not in healthy subjects suggesting an interaction with other illness related variables. According to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia pathogenic process starts prior to the emergence of clinical symptoms. Therefore, studying cerebral changes in persons at genetically high risk for developing schizophrenia who have not yet manifested the illness could minimize the confounds due to the illness. Smaller DLPFC was also observed in schizophrenia subjects homozygous for Val allele of the COMT gene that has also been associated with schizophrenia. The proposed study plans to utilize structural MRI and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy to characterize the differences in morphometry and membrane chemical (phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters) concentrations associated with RGS4 variations in these study groups. We will explore the associations of these imaging measures with COMT polymorphisms. Characterizing intermediate phenotypes using "cross-longitudinal" design helps in delineating longitudinal trajectory of cerebral correlates of genetic polymorphisms, designing novel medications and early detection.

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究职业发展计划提出了一项培训和研究计划，旨在阐明精神分裂症患者、精神分裂症风险个体和匹配的健康受试者中G蛋白信号转导亚型4（RGS4）多态性的基因编码调节子变异的体内生物学影响。证明遗传变异和中间表型之间的关联为遗传关联提供了重要的额外支持。RGS4在精神分裂症患者背外侧前额叶皮层（DLPFC）的低表达。随后，在美国、欧洲、印度和巴西的7个独立确定的人群中报道了RGS4基因与精神分裂症的关联。我们的初步研究表明，较小的DLPFC在精神分裂症患者的SNP 4等位基因T和SNP 18等位基因A纯合子，但在健康受试者表明与其他疾病相关的变量的相互作用。根据精神分裂症的神经发育假说，致病过程开始于临床症状出现之前。因此，研究精神分裂症遗传高危人群的大脑变化，这些人尚未表现出这种疾病，可以最大限度地减少这种疾病造成的混乱。在精神分裂症患者中也观察到较小的DLPFC，这些患者的COMT基因的瓦尔等位基因也与精神分裂症相关。拟议的研究计划利用结构MRI和磷磁共振光谱来表征这些研究组中与RGS4变异相关的形态测量学和膜化学（磷酸单酯和磷酸二酯）浓度的差异。我们将探讨这些影像学指标与COMT多态性的关系。采用“交叉纵向”设计表征中间表型有助于描绘遗传多态性脑相关基因的纵向轨迹，设计新的药物和早期检测。