5-HT2A T102C receptor polymorphism and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphism and neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms in Chinese elderly with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

This case-control study evaluated Chinese subjects with AD first presented to an university affiliated psychogeriatric clinic. Eighty-seven subjects with NINCDS-ADRDA diagnosis for probable and possible AD were recruited consecutively from the psychogeriatric clinics of the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis. NP symptoms were assessed by the Chinese version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

RESULTS

The genotype frequencies were significantly different in subjects with regards to the presentation of delusions, aggression, aberrant motor behavior and apathy (Pearson Chi Squares, p < 0.05). If only homozygote states were included, there were significantly fewer subjects of CC genotype with delusion (Pearson chi square, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific NP symptoms in AD were significantly associated with 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphisms. Possible ethnic differences in the behavioral expression of 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphisms are worthy of further exploration.