EXCLUSION OF THE 5-HT1A SEROTONIN NEURORECEPTOR AND TRYPTOPHAN OXYGENASE GENES IN A LARGE BRITISH KINDRED MULTIPLY AFFECTED WITH TOURETTES-SYNDROME, CHRONIC MOTOR TICS, AND OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between o bsessive-compulsive disorder or behavior and Gilles de la Tourette syn drome. It has been hypothesized that the serotonergic system is implic ated in the etiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therefore, the authors investigated whether genetic variation in a serotonergic recep tor and a modifying enzyme were associated with Tourette's syndrome. M ethod: A linkage analysis using DNA and blood group markers was carrie d out in a large British kindred multiply affected with Tourette's syn drome, chronic motor tics, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Results: There was no evidence to support the hypothesis that genetic variatio n in the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and tryptophan oxygenase genes caus es susceptibility to Tourette's syndrome and chronic multiple tics. Co nclusions: The results eliminate two possible candidate genes from hav ing a role in the pathophysiology of Tourette's syndrome.