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Shih-Jen Tsai

Publications and source records attributed to Shih-Jen Tsai.

114 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Association analysis for serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism and auditory evoked potentials for major depression.

The serotonergic system has been implicated in the production of the N1 and P2 components of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). Moreover, studies have indicated the influence of heritability in the genesis of these AEP components. The serotonin transporter is the major site of serotonin reuptake into the presynaptic neuron, and it has been determined that variants in the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may affect gene transcription activity. The present study tested the hypothesis that the 5-HTTLPR genetic polymorphism is associated with the N1 and P2 components of AEPs in a sample of 127 Chinese patients (mean age: 41.6 years; male/female ratio: 58/69) diagnosed with major depression. Analysis of the results revealed a significantly shorter P2 latency for patients bearing the s/s genotype in comparison with l allele carriers, especially for the female patients (p = 0.004). The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism accounted for 3.4% of the variance in P2 latency. Our findings suggest a relationship between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and AEP P2 latency, and further studies of other genetic polymorphisms in the serotonergic system may help to predict this latency.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association study for Parkinson's disease and a dopamine transporter gene polymorphism (1215A/G).

The dopamine transporter (DAT) may play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) because dopamine-specific neurotoxins are taken into dopaminergic nerve terminals via the DAT. A recent study has demonstrated that a DAT polymorphism in exon 9 (1215A/G) is associated with susceptibility to PD. This finding was not replicated by another study, however. Therefore, the significance of this association was tested using a Chinese sample population consisting of 102 PD patients and 174 controls, together with the association for onset age. Comparing the two groups, neither the genotypic (p = 0.272) nor allelic frequencies (p = 0.209) were statistically different. Further, the mean onset age was not significantly different for PD patients comparing the DAT genotypes (p = 0.925). Our findings confirm those of the previous negative report and, taken together, suggest that the DAT polymorphism (1215A/G) does not play a major role in the susceptibility to PD. Other DAT genetic variants, and the association of these variants with PD symptomatology or treatment response, may merit further investigation.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2002

Association analysis of two dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms and p300 event-related potential in depressive patients.

Previous Western studies have demonstrated an association between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) TaqI A polymorphism and components of P300 event-related potential. This finding was not replicated in our previous study of a sample of normal young Chinese females, however. In the current study of 105 patients diagnosed with major depression, we have further explored the association between the P300 components, and, the DRD2 TaqI A polymorphism and another functional DRD2 -141Cins/Del polymorphism. The results demonstrate that neither polymorphism is associated with P300 amplitude or latency, even after gender analysis. We suggest that these two DRD2 polymorphisms have no major effects on P300 components for the Chinese population. The association between the DRD2 polymorphism and P300 components may depend on ethnicity, the psychiatric state of the subjects, or the investigative paradigms used.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Estrogen supplementation for female schizophrenics treated with atypical antipsychotics.

It has been suggested that estrogen supplementation can augment the treatment effects of typical antipsychotic medication. We report the use of estrogen supplementation for four female chronic inpatients. These patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and were treated with atypical antipsychotics. Premenstrual exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms had been noted for all patients. Daily oral conjugated estrogen (Premarin 0.625 mg) was administered for three months continuously, and patients were assessed using the Nurses' Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation. Attenuation of premenstrual aggravation of psychiatric symptoms during menstruation was noted for two of the four cases, with substantial improvement noted for one of these. After Premarin treatment was discontinued, three patients were assessed as worse than the pre-supplementation phase using the evaluation scale. This finding is suggestive of individual variability for response to estrogen supplementation, with a possible association for onset age. Caution is advised where estrogen is used to treat schizophrenic patients taking atypical antipsychotics.

Adult↗