ABSTRACT
ZNF804A rs1344706 has been identified as one of the risk genes for schizophrenia. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this association are unknown. Given that ZNF804A upregulates the expression of COMT, we hypothesized that ZNF804A may influence brain activity by interacting with COMT. Here, we genotyped ZNF804A rs1344706 and COMT rs4680 in 218 healthy Chinese participants. Amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) were applied to analyze the main and interaction effects of ZNF804A rs1344706 and COMT rs4680. The ALFFs of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a significant ZNF804A rs1344706 × COMT rs4680 interaction, manifesting as a U-shaped modulation, presumably by dopamine signaling. Significant main effects were also found. These findings suggest that ZNF804A affects the resting-state functional activation by interacting with COMT, and may improve our understanding of the neurobiological effects of ZNF804A and its association with schizophrenia.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate gender differences of plasma glial cell line-derived neurotro-phic factor (GDNF) levels in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods MDD subjects (male 20,female 36) and healthy controls (HCs) (male 35,female 45) were divided into four groups by gender. Plasma levels of GDNF were measured and compared in different gender groups. The clinical symp-tom severity of MDD patients was evaluated by 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Hamil-ton Anxiety Scale (HAMA-17). Results (1)The plasma GDNF level in male patients with major depres-sive disorder (( 1. 55 ± 0. 43 ) pg/ml ) was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (( 1. 86 ± 0. 50)pg/ml,F=4. 64,P=0. 036). There was no significant difference in GDNF level between female de-pression patients((1.62±0.46)pg/ml)) and female healthy control((1. 64±0. 48)pg/ml,F=0. 18,P=0. 672). In HCs,the GDNF level of male was significantly higher than that of female((1. 86±0. 50)pg/ml, (1. 64±0. 48)pg/ml,F=2. 04,P=0. 045). There was no significant difference in GDNF level between male and female patients(P>0. 05). (2) GDNF level in male patients with major depressive disorder was nega-tively correlated with HAMA score(r=-0. 388,P=0. 034). Conclusion The expression of GDNF is affect-ed by sex factors,which may be related to the different pathogenesis of MDD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the difference of handwriting characteristics of schizophrenia,neurosis and healthy people according to the gender,the age and the level of educated.Methods The handwriting data were obtained under the standard condition of handwriting,then the 24 Chinese characters handwriting image information were transformed into digital data using the quantitative characteristics of Chinese characters handwriting recognition system (CCQAS4.0),finally the data of 99 patients with schizophrenia and 131 patients with neurosis were analyzed.Results Many significant differences had been found in schizophrenia,neurosis and norm group (P ＜0.05,P＜0.01),such as footer space((198.33±26.50) mm,(180.31±39.31)mm,(192.39±35.08) mm),average line spacing ((4.02 ± 1.68) mm,(5.34 ± 2.20) mm,(4.76 ± 2.00) mm) etc ; and there were also some important differences between the schizophrenia patient and the neurosis patient from different gender,age and education level in the 24 handwriting characteristics (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusions (1) Significant handwriting characteristic differences have surely been found among the schizophrenia/neurosis patient and normal people.(2) Gender,age and education level have impact on the characteristic in the schizophrenia patient and the neurosis patient.