수면정신생리

수면정신생리 (15권1호 39-43)

Association Study Between Dopamine Transporter Gene 40 bp VNTR and Antipsychotics-Induced Restless Legs Syndrome

도파민 수송체 유전자 다형성과 항정신병약물로 유발된 하지불안증후군의 연관성 연구

Kang, Seung-Gul;Lee, Heon-Jeong;Choi, Jung-Eun;Kim, Leen;Jung, In-Kwa;

Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine;Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine;Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine;Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine;Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine;

Abstract

Objectives: The pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is not obvious, but many promising theories involve dopaminergic deficiency and genetic causes. The RLS is presumed to occur more frequently among schizophrenic patients who take antipsychotics, most of which blocks the dopamine receptors. This study aimed to investigate whether dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) 40 base pair (bp) variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism is associated with the antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. Methods: We determined the diagnosis of RLS among the 190 Korean schizophrenic patients by the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). Genotyping was performed for the 40bp VNTR in DAT1 gene using polymerase chain reaction. Results: We separated the schizophrenic patients into 44 patients with RLS and 146 patients without RLS. The genotype and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between two groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that DAT1 gene 40bp VNTR is not associated with the antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenia. To confirm these results, larger-scale association study is needed in the future.

Keywords

Restless legs syndrome;Antipsychotics;Schizophrenia;Dopamine transporter gene;VNTR Polymorphism