Variation in the purinergic P2RX 7 receptor gene and schizophrenia

Abstract Introduction The purinergic receptor gene P2RX 7 is located in a major linkage hotspot for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, 12q21–33. It has previously been associated with bipolar disorder but has never been analysed in relation to schizophrenia, although it is involved in several neuronal processes associated with schizophrenia. Methods Nine functionally characterised variants in P2RX 7 were genotyped in 389 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, each matched on sex, birth-year and month with two healthy controls. Results We did not find association between P2RX 7 and schizophrenia and stratification on gender did not change this result. The high ethnic and diagnostic homogeneity of the sample adds credibility to this finding. Conclusion P2XR 7 was not associated with schizophrenia in this study.