Effects of the Adverse Life Events and Disrupted in Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) Gene Polymorphisms on Acute Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of traumatic childhood events and recent adverse life events, as well as the Disrupted in Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) gene polymorphisms on types of last acute symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. Hundred patients with schizophrenia were given the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). The patients' and healthy controls' DISC1 gene was evaluated for the -274G>C, c.791G>A, and c.2110A>T polymorphisms. There was no statistically significant difference with regard to the DISC1 gene polymorphisms between patient and healthy control groups. No significant relationship was found between the -274G>C, c.791G>A, and c.2110A>T haplotypes and development of different acute symptoms of schizophrenia. Having a recent stressful life event significantly affected SAPS (95% confidence interval [CI]=-67.547, -21.473; p=0.00) and BPRS-1 scores (95% CI=-51.405, -6.885; p=0.01), whereas emotional abuse at childhood significantly affected SANS scores (95% CI=-37.300, -10.401; p=0.00). This study shows that features of acute symptoms in schizophrenia are not influenced by the polymorphisms on the DISC1 gene, but are influenced by recent adverse life events and emotional abuse at childhood.

Perspective Chapter: The Role of Dopamine Receptors in Neuropsychiatric Diseases

“…In the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, an abnormal dopaminergic neurotransmission occurs after genetic and environmental risk factors. Changes in the brain connections under the environmental effects like stress may lead to formation of psychosis, Parkinson's Disease -Animal Models, Current Therapies and Clinical Trials loss of brain mass and neurodegeneration in the formation of schizophrenia [60,61]. The volume of the hippocampus in dominant hemisphere is decreased in patients with schizophrenia.…”