Genetic variation of the ghrelin activator gene ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) is associated with anorexia nervosa.

The gastrointestinal peptide hormone ghrelin promotes food intake and increases body weight and adiposity through activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR1a). To promote its biological action ghrelin is acylated at its serine 3 residue by the recently discovered ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT, a.k.

Association study in eating disorders: TPH2 associates with anorexia nervosa and self-induced vomiting.

Twin studies suggest that genetic factors play a substantial role in anorexia nervosa (AN) and self-induced vomiting (SV), a key symptom that is shared among different types of eating disorders (EDs). We investigated the association of 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), capturing 71-91% of the common variance in candidate genes, stathmin (STMN1), serotonin receptor 1D (HTR1D), tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), with AN and EDs characterized by regular SV. The first allele frequencies of all the SNPs were compared between a Dutch case group (182 AN, 149 EDs characterized by SV) and 607 controls.

Serum concentrations, therapeutic response and side effects in children and adolescents with impulsive-aggressive symptoms during risperidone therapy.

Introduction: The aim of this prospective naturalistic study was to examine for the first time the relationship between dosage, serum concentration and clinical outcome in children and adolescents with impulsive-aggressive symptoms during risperidone therapy.

Methods: Steady state trough serum concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone (the active moiety) were measured in 103 subjects. The therapeutic effect was assessed by the clinical global impression improvement subscale and side effects by the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser-side effect rating scale.

Expression analyses of the mitochondrial complex I 75-kDa subunit in early onset schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder: increased levels as a potential biomarker for early onset schizophrenia.

Searching for a peripheral biological marker for schizophrenia, we previously reported on elevated mitochondrial complex I 75-kDa subunit mRNA-blood concentrations in early onset schizophrenia (EOS). The aim of this study was to further evaluate the utility of this gene as a potential marker for schizophrenia. Both-schizophrenia and autism-are suggested to be neuronal maldevelopmental disorders with reports of mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress.

[Phenomenology and co-morbidity of childhood onset obsessive compulsive disorder].

Objectives: The goal of the study was to investigate the contents and comorbidity features of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.

Method: 55 patients (29 males, 26 females), mainly inpatients selected from university clinics for child and adolescent psychiatry (95%), were investigated. Structured diagnostic interviews were used to interview patients and their parents.

Transmission disequilibrium studies in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorders pertaining to polymorphisms of genes of the serotonergic pathway.

Pharmacological and challenge study data showed an involvement of the serotonergic system in the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We studied transmission disequilibrium of polymorphisms in three candidate genes of the serotonergic pathway in 64 trios comprising patients with early onset OCD and both of their parents. Polymorphisms of the following genes were studied: tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (rs1800532), serotonin transporter (polymorphism in the promoter region; 5-HTTLPR) and the serotonin 1 B receptor (rs6296).