An association study of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism and clozapine response of schizophrenic patients.

A growing body of evidence suggests the involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in both antipsychotic action and schizophrenia pathogenesis. The present study tested the hypothesis that the BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism is associated with schizophrenia and clozapine's therapeutic response. To identify any genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, we studied the BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism in 93 schizophrenic patients and 198 normal controls. Statistical analysis was used to test the association between this polymorphism and clozapine response the schizophrenic group. A trend (P=0.055) was demonstrated between genetic predisposition and Val66Met genotypes in 93 schizophrenic patients, especially for those with good response to clozapine (P=0.023). No significant difference in clozapine therapeutic response was demonstrated comparing the three Val66Met-genotype subgroups. Our finding suggests that this BDNF-gene Val66Met polymorphism may be related to schizophrenia pathogenesis in patients responsive to clozapine treatment.