T102C polymorphism of serotonin 2A type receptor gene confers susceptibility to (early onset) schizophrenia in Han Chinese: An association study and meta-analysis

Introduction Several lines of evidence have indicated that serotonin 2A receptor (HTR2A) may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. One functional polymorphism in HTR2A (T102C) has been widely investigated; however, the results have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between HTR2A T02C polymorphism and schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population. Methods We performed a case-control study, using an early onset sample, which may be an attractive subgroup for genetic studies. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of the combined sample groups in Han Chinese. Results Our study, based on 385 schizophrenic patients and 399 controls, found a significant genotype-wise association of T102C and schizophrenia (P=0.02). After applying stratified analyses, the dominant model for T allele produced significant association (OR=1.60, 95%CI=1.112.30, P=0.01). In the meta-analysis including all of the published population-based association studies in Han Chinese and the present association study, the pooled genotype-wise result in a dominant model was statistically significant with a summary OR of 1.25 (95%CI=1.041.50, P=0.02). Discussion Our results suggest that the HTR2A T102C polymorphism may confer susceptibility to schizophrenia in Han Chinese.