Sa. Chong et al., Tardive dyskinesia is not associated with the serotonin gene polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in Chinese, AM J MED G, 96(6), 2000, pp. 712-715
Neuroleptics are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia, but one of th
e complications is the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD). The pathophy
siology of TD may involve dopamine-serotonin interaction. The serotonin tra
nsporter participates in the reuptake and termination of serotonin neurotra
nsmission, and the gene that codes for this protein is thus a candidate gen
e for the development of TD. There is a functional polymorphism in the tran
scriptional control region of the serotonin transporter gene, and we invest
igated the association between this polymorphism and TD in Chinese schizoph
renic patients. The patients who did not differ in age and sex distribution
did not show variation on the rates of TD and Abnormal Involuntary Movemen
ts Scale (AIMS) scores with genotypes. Our findings suggest that 5-HTTLPR p
olymorphism is not a risk factor for TD in Chinese. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, In
c.