Impaired flush response to niacin skin patch among schizophrenia patients and their nonpsychotic relatives: The effect of genetic loading
Journal
Schizophrenia Bulletin
Journal Volume
35
Journal Volume
35
Journal Issue
1
Journal Issue
1
Pages
213-221
Start Page
213
End Page
221
ISSN
1745-1701
Date Issued
2009-01
Author(s)
SHENG-HSIANG LIN
SHI K. LIU
SHI-CHIN GUO
Abstract
We previously reported familial aggregation in flush response to niacin skin patch among schizophrenia patients and their nonpsychotic relatives. However, little is known about whether this abnormal skin response is associated with genetic loading for schizophrenia. This study compared the niacin flush response in subjects from families with only one member affected with schizophrenia (simplex families) with those from families having a sib-pair with schizophrenia (multiplex families). Subjects were patients with schizophrenia and their nonpsychotic first-degree relatives from simplex families (176 probands, 260 parents, and 80 siblings) and multiplex families (311 probands, 180 parents, and 52 siblings) as well as 94 healthy controls. Niacin patches of 3 concentrations (0.001M, 0.01M, and 0.1M) were applied to forearm skin, and the flush response was rated at 5, 10, and 15 minutes, respectively, with a 4-point scale. More attenuated flush response to topical niacin was shown in schizophrenia probands and their relatives from multiplex families than in their counterparts from simplex families, and the differentiation was better revealed using 0.1M concentration of niacin than 0.01M or 0.001M. For the highest concentration of 0.1M and the longest time lag of 15 minutes, a subgroup of probands (23%), parents (27%), and siblings (19%) still exhibited nonflush response. Flush response to niacin skin patch is more impaired in schizophrenia patients and their relatives from families with higher genetic loading for schizophrenia, and this finding has implications for future genetic dissection of schizophrenia. ? 2008 The Authors.
SDGs
Other Subjects
nicotinic acid; adult; allergy; article; clinical article; controlled study; correlation coefficient; drug concentration; drug response; female; flushing; forearm; genetic heterogeneity; genetic load; human; male; priority journal; reliability; schizophrenia; sibling; skin patch; skin test; Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Topical; Adult; Coffee; Drinking Behavior; Female; Flushing; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Niacin; Schizophrenia; Smoking
Type
journal article