Synapsin III gene polymorphisms and schizophrenia

Synapsins are synaptic vesicle-associated phosphoproteins and are thought t o play crucial roles in synaptogenesis and neurotransmitter release. Synapt ic abnormalities have been reported in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia . In addition, the synapsin III gene, a member of the synapsin gene family, has been located at 22q12-13, which has been suggested as a potential susc eptibility locus for schizophrenia. We investigated a genetic association b etween schizophrenia and the synapsin III gene polymorphisms (-631C/G and - 196G/A) in 160 schizophrenic patients and 153 controls. No significant posi tive association between either polymorphism and schizophrenia was observed . Furthermore, no significant association was observed between either polym orphism and the diagnostic subtypes. Our results suggested that the synapsi n III gene polymorphisms do not confer increased susceptibility to schizoph renia. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.