Orexin/hypocretin receptor, Orx₁, gene variants are associated with major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective: Orexins (hypocretins) are neuropeptides expressed in hypothalamic neurons and have regulatory roles in feeding/drinking behaviours, endocrine functions and sleep/wakefulness state. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a major mood disorder and neurotransmitter dysfunction in hypothalamic neurons may have roles in its formation. Hence, we conducted experiments to determine whether orexin receptor 1 and 2 (Orx₁, Orx₂) genes were associated with MDD development.

Methods: Seventy-five MDD patients and 87 healthy controls were enrolled for the study. Genotyping was carried out with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Hamilton Rating-Scale for Depression (HRSD) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were utilized to evaluate depressive symptom severity.

Results: A significant relation was found in genotype frequencies of Orx₁ rs10914456 and rs2271933 variants between MDD patients and controls (p = .009, p = .006). Rs10914456 CC genotype increased MDD risk 3.57 times more than carrying other genotypes (p = .008, OR =3.57;95% CI: 1.39–9.14). However, no association was observed in Orx₂ rs2653349 genotypes for MDD development (p > .05). Although statistically not significant, HRSD scores were diminished in MDD subjects carrying rs10914456 CC variants when compared with CT and TT variants (p = .069). Conclusion. This study suggests that, Orx₁ rs10914456 and rs2271933 can be associated with MDD development. Hence, Orx₁ rs10914456 variants may affect depressive symptom severity.

Keywords:

• Major depressive disorder
• orexin receptors
• orexin receptor gene variants
• Orx1
• Orx2

Acknowledgments

The preliminary findings of this study were presented at the 1st International TURAZ (Turkey-Azerbaijan) Forensic Medicine and Pathology Congress (October 13–16, 2016) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.