Effect of the ZNF804A Gene and Obstetrical Complications on Clinical Characteristics of Schizophrenia

Abstract

To explore for the first time an effect of gene × environment (G × E) interactions on the clinical characteristics of schizophrenia, we studied the ZNF804A rs1344706 polymorphism, a genome-wide supported risk variant of psychosis, and obstetrical complications (OC) as a risk-modifying factor for psychiatric disorders, in 369 patients with schizophrenia (203 women, mean age 29.7 ± 10.1 years, age at disease onset 21.6 ± 7.3 years). A history of at least one definite OC was present in 111 patients, while 258 patients had no history of OC. Clinical characteristics, including age at disease onset and severity of symptoms assessed with PANSS, were compared by the ZNF804A genotype in the groups with and without OC. Patients with the risk AA genotype and OC had higher scores on the subscale of general psychopathological symptoms compared to the carriers of the CC genotype without OC (p = 0.007). The results demonstrated an additive effect of ZNF804A rs1344706 and OC on symptoms severity in schizophrenia.