The DRD2 gene 957C>T polymorphism is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in war veterans.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Variations in genes related to the dopaminergic pathway have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, substance misuse, Alzheimer's disease and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (957C>T) and a deletion polymorphism (-141delC) in the DRD2 gene and a SNP (Taq1A) in a gene directly downstream of DRD2 have all been implicated in dopamine functioning in the brain. METHODS: To test the importance of these three polymorphisms in PTSD susceptibility, a genetic screen was performed in 127 war veterans diagnosed with PTSD and 228 control individuals without a history of PTSD. RESULTS: No significant association was found between PTSD and the Taq1A or -141delC polymorphisms. However, a significant association was observed with PTSD and the 957C>T polymorphism. PTSD individuals were more likely to carry the C allele compared to the controls (P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the 957C>T polymorphism in the DRD2 gene is one of the genetic factors for susceptibility to PTSD.