[-2548G/A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of leptin gene and antipsychotic agent-induced weight gain in schizophrenic patients: a study of nuclear family-based association].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there is association between the-2548G/A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of leptin gene and weight gain following antipsychotic agents (APS) acute treatment in schizophrenic patients.

METHODS

Eight-four Chinese Han untreated schizophrenia patients in 70 nuclear families were recruited. The polymorphism of leptin gene was determined with PCR-RFLP technique. Body weight was measured in the patients on admission the and after 10 weeks treatment with risperidone or chlorpromazine.

RESULTS

There was an average (8.00+/-6.13)% increases in baseline weight after the 10 week treatment. There were significant differences in the distribution of allele frequencies (chi2=4.031, P=0.045) between the patients with weight changed >or=7% and <7% subgroups. Family-based association analysis further confirmed the above significant finding by transmission disequilibrium test but not by quantitative trait transmission disequilibrium test.

CONCLUSION

The finding confirms that the-2548G/A polymorphism in promoter region of leptin gene is associated with APS-induced weight gain.