The effects of 5-HTR1A polymorphism on cingulum connectivity in patients with panic disorder

Abstract

Objective Serotonin-1A receptors (5-HTR1A) is suggested to be involved in the etiology of several psychiatric disorders including panic disorder (PD). A few imaging studies have suggested the alterations of the cingulum bundle in PD. Te objective of this study is to examine the structural changes of cingulum related to the 5-HTR1A polymorphism rs6295 in the patients with PD. Methods Tirty-two right-handed patients with PD [11 men, 21 women; 40.34±13.17 (mean±SD) age] who met the diagnostic criteria in Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV were examined by means of MRI at 3 Tesla. We divided the patients with PD into CC genotype group and non CC genotype group (GG/CG genotype group) of the 5-HTR1A rs6295 polymorphism to compare the cingu-lum white matter connectivity. Results Tract-based spatial statistics showed significantly increased fractional anisotropy (FA) values in cingulate gyrus process of lef cingulum in 5-HTR1A CC genotype compared to GG/CG genotype in PD. Significant positive correlations were shown between the Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ) interoceptive fear subscale scores, the Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory-Revised fear of publicly observable anxiety reaction subscale scores and FA values of cingulate gyrus process of lef cingulum in 5-HTR1A rs6295 GG/CG genotype group. In CC genotype group, APPQ total, APPQ agoraphobia subscale and APPQ social phobia subscale scores also showed signifcant positive correlations with FA values of hippocampal process of right cingulum. Conclusion This preliminary study suggests that 5-HTR1A polymorphism may be associated with the cingulum white matter con nectivity in PD. © 2013 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association.