Association of cannabinoid receptor genes () polymorphisms and panic disorder.

Panic disorder (PD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks along with sudden onset of apprehension, fear or terror. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a role in stress recovery, regulating anxiety. The aim of this study was to analyze potential genetic alterations in key ECS targets in patients suffering from panic disorders. We analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cannabinoid receptors () and the endocannabinoid hydrolytic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase () genes in 164 Spanish PD patients and 320 matched controls. No significant differences were observed in the SNPs of the and genes tested. However, when analyzing genotype-by-sex interaction at A592G (rs2501431) and C315T (rs2501432) in the gene, the presence of the G-allele in males was associated with a protective haplotype. Genotyping analysis revealed that variants in confer vulnerability to PD, with a significantly increased risk associated with the G-allele (rs12720071) and C-allele (rs806368). This finding was consistent when analyzing genotype-by-sex interaction, where females presented a greater PD risk. Polymorphisms at the gene may be a risk factor for PD contributing to sex-specific dysfunction in females.