Polymorphisms of the SNAP-25 gene and performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in anorexia nervosa and in healthy adolescent participants

Abstract

Aim. The synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kD (SNAP-25) gene plays an integral role in the synaptic transmission as a part of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment receptor (SNARE). Several studies have suggested a possible involvement of SNAP-25 in learning and memory. Also in earlier studies a possible involvement of this protein in psychiatric disorder has been shown. As neurocognitive impairment is postulated in the pathology of anorexia nervosa and considered to be a putative endophenotype according to studies we investigated the influences of different SNAP-25 polymorphisms on Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in patients and healthy controls. Methods. We estimated an association between three polymorphisms of SNAP-25 gene and performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, measuring prefrontal cortex functions, in 61 anorexia nervosa patients. Results. No significant differences in WCST performance were found between patients and controls. Correlation analysis showed that in patient's group value of BMI interfered on number of perseverative errors in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. No significant differences in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance were found as to three analyzed polymorphisms (rs362552, rs8636, rs363050) on the SNAP-25 gene. Conclusions. These data suggest that polymorphisms of snap-25 gene may be not involved in the set shifting impairment in anorexia nervosa patients and healthy controls in Polish adolescents.