Multicentre Italian family-based association study on tyrosine hydroxylase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and Wolfram syndrome 1 polymorphisms in mood disorders

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate tyrosine hydroxylase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and Wolfram syndrome 1 genes in mood disorders using a family-based association approach. Methods The sample included 134 nuclear mood disorder families, with subjects affected by bipolar disorder (n=103) or major depressive disorder (n=58). All subjects were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction techniques. Results No significant transmission disequilibrium was found in the overall sample for any polymorphism. Analysis considering bipolar subjects only, or psychopathology traits as affection status did not influence the observed results. Conclusions The study could not support the involvement of tyrosine hydroxylase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and Wolfram syndrome 1 polymorphisms in mood disorders. (C) 2003 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.