Association of an interleukin-1 beta genetic polymorphism with altered brain structure in patients with schizophrenia

Objective: This study investigated the effect on brain morphology of an int erleukin-1 beta genetic polymorphism (C -->T transition at position -511) i n patients with schizophrenia. Method: In vivo magnetic resonance imaging and genotype analysis were used in the examination of 44 male schizophrenic patients and 48 healthy male co mparison subjects. Results: No association between the interleukin-1 beta polymorphism and sch izophrenia was detected. Within the patient group, bifrontal-temporal gray matter volume deficits and generalized white matter tissue deficits in alle le 2 carriers (genotype T/T or C/T) were found. In contrast, the interleuki n-1 beta polymorphism had no influence on brain morphology within the healt hy subjects. Conclusions: The data suggest that allele 2 within the promoter region of t he interleukin-1 beta gene at position -511 contributes to structural brain alterations in patients with schizophrenia.