5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism and negative symptoms in first episode (drug-naive) Chinese Han nationality individuals with schizophrenia.

Objective: To investigate whether the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2A) gene T102C polymorphism is associated with the severity symptoms and negative symptoms in the first episode Chinese Han nationality patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Altogether 201 first episode Chinese Han nationality patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in this study. Genotyping of 5-HT2A gene T102C polymorphism was performed by PCR-RFLP technique. The positive and negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was used for the evaluation of the severity of psychotic symptoms before any drug treatment.

Results: 5-HT2A receptor 102-T/T genotype was significantly associated with both the PANSS total and negative symptom subscale baseline scores before the treatment, but not with the positive and general psychopathology subscales.

Conclusions: 5-HT2A T102C functional polymorphism may play a role in negative symptoms and prognosis of Chinese Han nationality people with schizophrenia.