BACKGROUND: Numerous genetic mechanisms and modes of transmission underlying bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) have been postulated. Recently, the discovery of genomic imprinting and mitochondrial transmission of illness in humans has stimulated study of parent-of-origin effects in the transmission of BPAD. METHODS: We examined a large sample of families from an associated linkage study to search for a possible parent-of-origin effect. Selecting for unilineal families with at least one offspring and/or parent diagnosed with BPAD after structured interview, we conducted three analyses: (1) the rates of illness among mothers and fathers of offspring affected with BPAD; (2) the observed frequency of transmission and rates of illness among maternal and paternal lineages; and (3) the rates of affective illness among offspring of parents affected with BPAD. RESULTS: Our results indicate no significant differences in the rates of illness among mothers and fathers of offspring affected with BPAD. Also, the frequency of transmission and rates of illness among maternal and paternal lineages did not differ significantly. However, the rate of BPAD among the offspring of fathers affected with BPAD was significantly higher than for mothers with the illness. LIMITATIONS: Substantially more women than men, and maternal than paternal relatives were studied - introducing possible gender biases. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a possible paternal parent-of-origin effect.
BACKGROUND: Numerous genetic mechanisms and modes of transmission underlying bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) have been postulated. Recently, the discovery of genomic imprinting and mitochondrial transmission of illness in humans has stimulated study of parent-of-origin effects in the transmission of BPAD. METHODS: We examined a large sample of families from an associated linkage study to search for a possible parent-of-origin effect. Selecting for unilineal families with at least one offspring and/or parent diagnosed with BPAD after structured interview, we conducted three analyses: (1) the rates of illness among mothers and fathers of offspring affected with BPAD; (2) the observed frequency of transmission and rates of illness among maternal and paternal lineages; and (3) the rates of affective illness among offspring of parents affected with BPAD. RESULTS: Our results indicate no significant differences in the rates of illness among mothers and fathers of offspring affected with BPAD. Also, the frequency of transmission and rates of illness among maternal and paternal lineages did not differ significantly. However, the rate of BPAD among the offspring of fathers affected with BPAD was significantly higher than for mothers with the illness. LIMITATIONS: Substantially more women than men, and maternal than paternal relatives were studied - introducing possible gender biases. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a possible paternal parent-of-origin effect.
Authors: Mark W Logue; Martina Durner; Gary A Heiman; Susan E Hodge; Steven P Hamilton; James A Knowles; Abby J Fyer; Myrna M Weissman Journal: Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet Date: 2009-12-05 Impact factor: 3.568
Authors: Ling Shao; Maureen V Martin; Stanley J Watson; Alan Schatzberg; Huda Akil; Richard M Myers; Edward G Jones; William E Bunney; Marquis P Vawter Journal: Ann Med Date: 2008 Impact factor: 4.709
Authors: Adolfo Sequeira; Maureen V Martin; Brandi Rollins; Emily A Moon; William E Bunney; Fabio Macciardi; Sara Lupoli; Erin N Smith; John Kelsoe; Christophe N Magnan; Mannis van Oven; Pierre Baldi; Douglas C Wallace; Marquis P Vawter Journal: Front Genet Date: 2012-06-20 Impact factor: 4.599
Authors: Brandi Rollins; Maureen V Martin; P Adolfo Sequeira; Emily A Moon; Ling Z Morgan; Stanley J Watson; Alan Schatzberg; Huda Akil; Richard M Myers; Edward G Jones; Douglas C Wallace; William E Bunney; Marquis P Vawter Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-03-17 Impact factor: 3.240