Association study of endocannabinoid system and schizophrenia

• Grant number: 11/00030-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Síntia Iole Nogueira Belangero
• Grantee: Síntia Iole Nogueira Belangero
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Jair de Jesus Mari ; Marilia de Arruda Cardoso Smith ; Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan

Abstract

The pathophisiology of schizophrenia apparently envolves a complex interaction between genetic vulnerabilities and environmental risk factors. Cannabis use has been considered one of these factors that may contribute with the emergence of psychotic symptons in genetic predisposed individuals and worsens the course of pre-estabilished disease. The endocannabinoid system is involved in this process and probably has implications not only in psychopatholoy but also in the pharmacological response to antipsychotic drugs. Despite the growing information regarding the endocannabinoid system and schizophrenia, few genetic studies have been conducted until now. Objective: To investigate CNR1 variants (type 1 cannabinoid receptor encoding gene) as possible risk factors to schizophrenia pathophisiology and treatment response. Methods: About 200 patients with schizophrenia (according DSM-IV diagnostic criteria) and 200 healthy control subjects will be studied. The polymorphisms rs 1049353 (1359 G/A), rs 806368 (T/C), rs 806379 (A/T), ts 806380 (A/G) of the CNR1 gene will be determined by real time PCR with detection Taqman®. They will be correlated to schizophrenia diagnosis and other variables such as treatment refractoriness and Cannabis use. Population stratification analysis will be made from genetic markers chosen for the Brazilian population in order to correct statistical confounding factors related to ethnic differences. Expected results: We hope identify endocannabinoid system gene polymorphisms, which may help in the prediction of risk factors to schizophrenia diagnosis and pharmacological response to treatment. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GADELHA, ARY; OTA, VANESSA KIYOMI; CANO, JOSE PAYA; MELARAGNO, MARIA ISABEL; SMITH, MARILIA A. C.; MARI, JAIR DE JESUS; BRESSAN, RODRIGO A.; BELANGERO, SINTIA IOLE; BREEN, GEROME. Linkage Replication for Chromosomal Region 13q32 in Schizophrenia: Evidence from a Brazilian Pilot Study on Early Onset Schizophrenia Families. PLoS One, v. 7, n. 12, DEC 31 2012. (11/00030-1)

BELANGERO, SINTIA IOLE; OTA, VANESSA KIYOMI; GADELHA, ARY; BERBERIAN, ARTHUR ALMEIDA; DE ASSUNCAO-LEME, IDAIANE BATISTA; NOTO, CRISTIANO; CHRISTOFOLINI, DENISE MARIA; BELLUCCO, FERNANDA TEIXEIRA; SANTORO, MARCOS LEITE; MAZZOTTI, DIEGO ROBLES; et al. DGCR2 influences cortical thickness through a mechanism independent of schizophrenia pathogenesis. PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH, v. 274, p. 391-394, APR 2019. (16/04983-7, 17/25016-8, 10/08968-6, 14/07280-1, 11/00030-1)

EDUARDO S. GOUVÊA; AIRTON F. SANTOS FILHO; VANESSA K. OTA; VINICIUS MRAD; ARY GADELHA; RODRIGO A. BRESSAN; QUIRINO CORDEIRO; SINTIA I. BELANGERO. The role of the CNR1 gene in schizophrenia: a systematic review including unpublished data. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, v. 39, n. 2, p. 160-171, 2017-01-12. (11/00030-1, 11/50740-5, 10/08968-6)

OTA, VANESSA K.; GADELHA, ARY; ASSUNCAO, IDAIANE B.; SANTORO, MARCOS L.; CHRISTOFOLINI, DENISE M.; BELLUCCO, FERNANDA T.; SANTOS-FILHO, AIRTON F.; OTTONI, GUSTAVO L.; LARA, DIOGO R.; MARI, JAIR J.; et al. ZDHHC8 gene may play a role in cortical volumes of patients with schizophrenia. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH, v. 145, n. 1-3, p. 33-35, APR 2013. (11/00030-1, 07/58736-1)

OTA, VANESSA KIYOMI; MORETTI, PATRICIA NATALIA; SANTORO, MARCOS LEITE; TALARICO, FERNANDA; SPINDOLA, LETICIA MARIA; XAVIER, GABRIELA; CARVALHO, CAROLINA MUNIZ; MARQUES, DIOGO FERRI; COSTA, GIOVANY OLIVEIRA; PELLEGRINO, RENATA; et al. Gene expression over the course of schizophrenia: from clinical high-risk for psychosis to chronic stages. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA, v. 5, MAR 28 2019. (14/50830-2, 11/00030-1, 14/07280-1, 10/08968-6, 17/25016-8, 16/04983-7, 11/50740-5)

OTA, VANESSA KIYOMI; SPINDOLA, LETICIA NERY; GADELHA, ARY; DOS SANTOS FILHO, AIRTON FERREIRA; SANTORO, MARCOS LEITE; CHRISTOFOLINI, DENISE MARIA; BELLUCCO, FERNANDA TEIXEIRA; RIBEIRO-DOS-SANTOS, ANDREA KELY; SANTOS, SIDNEY; MARI, JAIR DE JESUS; et al. DRD1 rs4532 polymorphism: A potential pharmacogenomic marker for treatment response to antipsychotic drugs. SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH, v. 142, n. 1-3, p. 206-208, DEC 2012. (11/00030-1, 07/58736-1)