Researchers detail in 'A common variant in DRD3 gene is associated with risperidone-induced extrapyramidal symptoms,' new data in pharmaceuticals. According to a study from Barcelona, Spain, "We present a pharmacogenetic study of acute antipsychotic (AP)-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) using an extensive linkage disequilibrium mapping approach in seven-candidate genes with a well-established link to dopamine (DRD2, DRD3, ACE, COMT, DAT, MAO-A, MAO-B). From a cohort of 321 psychiatric inpatients, 81 cases presenting with EPS (Simpson-Angus >3) and 189 controls presenting without EPS (Simpson-Angus <or=3) took part."

"Eighty-four-tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes were genotyped. After extensive data cleaning, 70 SNPs were analyzed for association of single markers and haplotypes. AP dosage, AP-DRD2 blockade potency and age were identified as susceptibility factors for AP-induced EPS. One SNP of the DRD3 gene, rs167771, achieved significant association with EPS risk after Bonferroni correction (nominal P-value 1.3 x 10(-4)) in the patients treated with risperidone (132 patients). AP-induced EPS remains a serious public health problem," wrote P. Gasso and colleagues, University of Barcelona (see also Pharmaceuticals).

The researchers concluded: "Our finding of a common SNP (rs167771) in the DRD3 gene provides a strong new candidate gene for risperidone-induced EPS."

Gasso and colleagues published the results of their research in The Pharmacogenomics Journal (A common variant in DRD3 gene is associated with risperidone-induced extrapyramidal symptoms. The Pharmacogenomics Journal, 2009;9(6):404-10).

For additional information, contact P. Gasso, University of Barcelona, Dept. of Anatomic Pathology, Pharmacology and Microbiology, Barcelona, Spain.

The publisher of the The Pharmacogenomics Journal can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, 345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA.