Lack of association in Japanese patients between neuroleptic malignant syndrome and the Taql A polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene

Objective The molecular basis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is unclear, but clinical studies have noted a genetic predisposition. A recent genetic study suggested an association between NMS and the TaqI A polymorphism in the dopamine D-2 receptor (DRD2) gene. We further examined the association in a larger number of subjects. Methods We studied 49 Japanese patients previously diagnosed with NMS, and 123 schizophrenic patients treated with neuroleptics without occurrence of NMS. PCR and RFLP analyses were performed to screen the TaqI A polymorphism. Results The Taql A1 allele frequency was 0.408 in NMS patients and 0.415 in patients without NMS. No significant differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies were observed between the two groups. Conclusions We cannot conclude that the TaqI A polymorphism is associated with development of NMS. Psychiatr Genet 13:55-57(C) 2003 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.