POLYMORPHISM IN THE PROMOTER REGION OF THE ALPHA(2A) ADRENERGIC-RECEPTOR GENE AND MOOD DISORDERS

alpha(2) ADRENERGIC receptors are thought to play a crucial role in th e etiology or treatment of mood disorders. Polymorphism(s) in the prom oter region of the alpha(2) receptor may affect the gene expression an d be associated with mood disorders. We studied the previously reporte d polymorphisms of the alpha(2A) receptor gene at position -1291 in 11 4 healthy controls and 103 mood disorder patients. There was statistic ally no difference between controls and patients in either the genotyp e or the allele frequency. There was statistically no difference betwe en the genotype and the clinical characteristics. Our results suggest there is no association between this polymorphism in the promoter regi on of the alpha(2A) receptor gene and mood disorders. (C) 1998 Rapid S cience Ltd.