CACNA1C Gene rs1006737 Polymorphism Affects Cognitive Performance in Chinese Han Schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the relationship between L-type calcium channel α1C subunit (CACNA1C) gene polymorphism and schizophrenia (SCZ) and cognitive function in the Han nationality, the main nationality in China.

Methods

Genotyping of CACNA1C SNP (rs1006737, rs1024582, rs2007044) in SCZ patients (n = 312) and healthy controls (n = 305) was performed. Cognitive function was assessed in the SCZ patients using Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Then, the correlation between SNP and SCZ, as well as cognition, was calculated.

Results

There was no significant difference in allele frequency and genotype distribution frequency of the three polymorphic loci of CACNA1C gene between the two groups. In cognitive tests, delayed memory scores in RBANS were significantly lower in rs1006737 “A” risk allele carriers than in non-carriers.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in allele and genotype frequency of CANCA1C Gene rs1006737, rs1024582 and rs2007044 between the schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The cognitive function of schizophrenia patients is correlated with the rs1006737, and the delayed memory of “A” allele carriers is significantly reduced.

Keywords:

• schizophrenia
• SNP
• cognition
• CACNA1C

Abbreviations

CACNA1C, L-type calcium channel α1C subunit; SCZ, schizophrenia; SNP, Single nucleotide polymorphism; RBANS, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status; YLD, year lived with disability; LTCC, L-type voltage-gated calcium channels; CHB, Chinese Han Origin in Beijing; ICD-10, international Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision; PANSS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale; HWE, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium; SGA, second-generation antipsychotics; DTI, diffusion tensor imaging; FMRI, Functional magnetic resonance imaging; CCB, calcium channel antagonists.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center (reference number: PDJWLL2020012)

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Special Fund for Livelihood Research (Medical and Health Care) of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Pudong New Area 2020 (PKJ2020-Y33).