Study Report
Reference
| Citation | Zobel, 2008 PubMed |
| Full Info | Zobel, A., Jessen, F., von Widdern, O., Schuhmacher, A., Hofels, S., Metten, M., Rietschel, M., Scheef, L., Block, W., Becker, T. et al. (2008) Unipolar depression and hippocampal volume: impact of DNA sequence variants of the glucocorticoid receptor gene. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet, 147B, 836-843.
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Study
| Hypothesis or Background |
Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays a major role in regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system; HPA dysregulation represents the most consistent biological pattern of depression. Multiple functional polymorphisms are known for the GR gene, which might influence the development of unipolar depression. Previous studies reported associations to some variants in this gene but not consistently so.
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| Sample Information | 322 German inpatients with recurrent unipolar depression, and 298 German controls |
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| Method Detail | We investigated seven genetic polymorphisms in the GR gene (NR3C1) located in the putative promoter, exon 2 and intron 2 region. Study populations were 322 German inpatients with recurrent unipolar depression, and 298 German controls recruited from the general population. The relationships between intermediate phenotypes (hippocampal and amygdala volumes) and NR3C1 DNA sequence variants were additionally explored in a subpopulation of patients. |
| Method Keywords | genotyping |
| Result | We found association between the diagnosis of depression and DNA sequence variants in intron 2 as well as in the 5' region of the NR3C1 gene but not for the previously studied exon 2 and putative promoter variants (global test after control of multiple testing, P = 0.02). In patients, diagnosis-related alleles were also associated to hippocampal volume reduction and amygdala volume variation. |
| Conclusions | Unipolar depression is associated with DNA variants of the NR3C1 gene in our population. Neurobiological underpinnings of depression as volumetric reductions of the hippocampus may also be mediated by variants in this gene. |
Relationships reported by
Zobel, 2008
| Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
NR3C1 (NR3C1) |
gene |
|
We found association between the diagnosis of depression and DNA sequence variants in intron 2 as well as in the 5' region of the NR3C1 gene |
Positive
|
|
Hippocampus (hippocampus)
|
brain morphology and function |
NR3C1 (NR3C1) |
gene |
|
In patients, diagnosis-related alleles were also associated to hippocampal volume reduction and amygdala volume variation. |
Positive
|
