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The genetics of panic disorder: state of the art

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Dirk van West
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp (UIA) University Centre of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Antwerp (UCKJA) Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp (UIA), Antwerp, Belgium
Stephan Claes*
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp (UIA) Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Antwerp (UIA), Antwerp, Belgium
*
Professor Stephan Claes MD PhD, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Antwerp (UA/UIA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium. Tel: +32 3820 23 21; Fax: +32 3820 25 41; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Panic disorder (PD) is a highly prevalent, debilitating disorder. The heritability of the disease has been estimated by twin studies to be between 30 and 60%. The vulnerability for PD overlaps with an increased risk of bipolar disorder in some families. Classical genetic methods such as linkage analysis and association studies have not yet identified genetic risk factors beyond doubt. However, two independent studies confirm linkage of a specific syndrome characterized by PD, bladder problems, severe headaches, mitral valve prolapse and thyroid dysfunction to genetic markers on chromosome 13q. Association studies, although showing divergent results, give some support to a causative role for the genes encoding for monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), cholecystokinin (CCK) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Finally, a somatic duplication of a 19-Mb region on chromosome 15 has been associated with PD, but this intriguing finding awaits confirmation.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 Blackwell Munksgaard

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