Neuronal nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disease characterized by recurrent and intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours that negatively affect the quality-of-life of the patients. Recent studies have implicated the participation of neuronal nitric oxide in OCD pathogenesis as a neurotransmitter modulator.

Aims: To identify whether variations in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) genes may render individuals susceptible to OCD development.

Methods: This study examined nNOS polymorphisms in 100 OCD patients and 121 unrelated healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion methods.

Results: nNOS 276 C + genotype incidence was significantly higher in OCD patients than controls and conferred a 2-fold increased risk for OCD. No significant differences were observed in frequencies of nNOS 84 genotypes between patients and controls.

Conclusion: This study shows an association between nNOS gene polymorphism and OCD. Exact mechanisms by which nNOS gene variants contribute to OCD pathogenesis need to be further investigated.

Keywords:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• neuronal nitric oxide synthase
• polymorphism

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no financial disclosures or confiict of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University. Project number: ONAP-41979.