Variants in doublecortin- and calmodulin kinase like 1, a gene up-regulated by BDNF, are associated with memory and general cognitive abilities.

Background: Human memory and general cognitive abilities are complex functions of high heritability and wide variability in the population. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in mammalian memory formation.

Methodology / Principal Finding: Based on the identification of genes markedly up-regulated during BDNF-induced synaptic consolidation in the hippocampus, we selected genetic variants that were tested in three independent samples, from Norway and Scotland, of adult individuals examined for cognitive abilities.

Gene expression profiling in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) from two contaminated sites using a custom-made cDNA microarray.

A small-scale, custom-made cDNA microarray, the CodStress array, consisting of 746 expressed sequence tag clones encoding stress-responsive and immune-relevant proteins was constructed to investigate the effects of contaminants on gene expression in two natural populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from western Norway. Farmed Atlantic cod as well as cod from an unpolluted reference site were included in the present study to examine the individual variation and differences in gene expression between natural populations of cod and farmed cod. Liver of cod sampled from two contaminated sites (Store Lungegårdsvann, Bergen, Norway, and Sørfjorden, Odda, Norway), from one unpolluted reference site (Øystese/Jondal, Norway), and farmed cod were analyzed by microarray.

An 8.9 Mb 19p13 duplication associated with precocious puberty and a sporadic 3.9 Mb 2q23.3q24.1 deletion containing NR4A2 in mentally retarded members of a family with an intrachromosomal 19p-into-19q between-arm insertion.

In a 2 and a half-year-old girl with onset of puberty before the age of 5 months, short stature, hand anomalies and severe mental retardation, an 8.9 Mb interstitial 19p13 duplication containing 215 predicted genes was detected. It was initially assumed that the duplication involved the kisspeptin receptor gene, GPR54, known to stimulate induction of puberty, but more refined duplication mapping excluded this possibility.

Gene expression profiles in rat brain disclose CNS signature genes and regional patterns of functional specialisation.

Background: The mammalian brain is divided into distinct regions with structural and neurophysiological differences. As a result, gene expression is likely to vary between regions in relation to their cellular composition and neuronal function. In order to improve our knowledge and understanding of regional patterns of gene expression in the CNS, we have generated a global map of gene expression in selected regions of the adult rat brain (frontomedial-, temporal- and occipital cortex, hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum; both right and left sides) as well as in three major non-neural tissues (spleen, liver and kidney) using the Applied Biosystems Rat Genome Survey Microarray.

The CYP2C19 genotype and the use of oral contraceptives influence the pharmacokinetics of carisoprodol in healthy human subjects.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate if subjects with one normal and one non-functional CYP2C19 allele (intermediate metabolizers; IMs) metabolized carisoprodol differently than individuals with two normal CYP2C19 alleles (extensive metabolizers; EMs) We also wanted to investigate whether the use of oral contraceptives influences the metabolism of carisoprodol in EMs and IMs. Impairing effects on psychomotor coordination and feelings of sedation were studied by comparing IMs with EMs following their ingestion of a single dose of 700 mg carisoprodol.

Methods: Thirty-seven healthy Caucasian volunteers participated in the study, of whom 25 were not using any drugs known to interact with CYP2C19, including two poor metabolizers (PMs) (CYP2C19 *2/*2 or CYP2C19 *2 /*4), 11 IMs (CYP2C19 *1/*2 or CYP2C19 *1/*4) and 12 EMs (CYP2C19 *1/*1); the remaining 12 participants were six EMs and six IMs using oral contraceptives.

Breastfeeding during maternal antidepressant treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors: infant exposure, clinical symptoms, and cytochrome p450 genotypes.

Background: The aims of the study were to quantify the drug exposure in breastfed infants of antidepressant-treated mothers, to identify possible adverse events, and to correlate these variables to maternal and infant drug metabolism-relevant genotypes and milk triglyceride content.

Method: The study included 25 lactating women treated with citalopram (N = 9), sertraline (N = 6), paroxetine (N = 6), fluoxetine (N = 1), or venlafaxine (N = 3) and their 26 breastfed infants. Drug concentrations in maternal and infant serum and milk were analyzed using liquid chromotography mass spectrometry methods; milk triglyceride levels were measured with a commercial kit.