Effects of DTNBP1 (Dysbindin) Gene Variants on Hippocampal Glutamate Concentration Determined by MRS at 3T

Florian Schubert¹, Frank Seifert¹, Christoph Wirth², Andreas Klr², Thomas Sander², Jrgen Gallinat²

DTNBP1 is a major susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Reduced expression of DTNBP1 was found post mortem in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients. We investigated the effects of genetic variants of DTNBP1 on the glutamate system and neuronal integrity in hippocampus and anterior cingulate of 79 healthy subjects using MRS at 3T. Hippocampal glutamate concentration was significantly affected by genotype of rs909706 and rs760665. The concentration of NAA was associated with rs760665. No metabolite measured in AC showed a significant connection with the genotypes. The results support a role of DTNBP1 gene variants for glutamate neurotransmission in hippocampus.