Association between DNA methylation in the CpG island of dopamine D2 receptor gene promoter region and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the relation between DNA methylation in the CpG island of dopamine D2 receptor ( DRD2) gene promoter region and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), and explore the molecular mechanism of PPPD. Methods:The disease group consisted of 43 patients diagnosed as having PPPD in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2017, and blood samples were taken at admission. The control group included 45 with acute vestibular peripheral vertigo whose dizziness symptoms did not recrudesce after follow-up for more than 3 months and PPPD diagnosis was excluded in our hospital at the same period; these patients did not take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs); blood samples in the patients were collected during follow-up. DNA methylation in the CpG island of DRD2 promoter region was detected by disulfite sequencing and the differences between the two groups were compared. Results:The positive rate of DNA methylation in the CpG island of DRD2 promoter region in the disease group was 58.1%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (15.6%, P<0.05); and the methylation rate of CpG island loci in the disease group (0.15±0.18) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.04±0.10, P<0.05). Conclusion:The DNA methylation in the CpG island of DRD2 promoter region is associated with onset of PPPD.