THE DRD2 GENE 957C > T POLYMORPHISM IS ASSOCIATED WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN WAR VETERANS

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 > 7) 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. Depression Anxiety 26:28-33, 2009. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.