Assessment of the role of zinc finger protein-804a (znf804a) (rs1344706) gene polymorphism in schizophrenia and methamphetamine addiction patients

Introduction and Aim: The zinc finger protein 804A (ZNF804A) gene has garnered significant interest as a gene associated with an increased risk of psychosis. This interest stems from the strong association observed between a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), namely rs1344706, within the ZNF804A gene, and various psychosis phenotypes, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this study, we aimed to assess the functional impact of ZNF804A gene polymorphism in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and methamphetamine addiction.   Materials and Methods: This nested case control research included 50 individuals with schizophrenia and 50 methamphetamine (crystal) users recruited from Ibn-Rushed Psychiatric Teaching Hospital in Baghdad. 50 healthy subjects were also recruited as a control group. All participants were subjected to thorough physical examination. The serum concentration of Zinc Finger Protein-804A (ZNF804A) was determined using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood samples, and the Taqman allelic discrimination method was used to genotype the ZNF804A gene rs1344706 polymorphism.   Results: Patients with schizophrenia had a significantly higher median level of ZNF804A (48.67 ng/L) than controls (25.56 ng/L) or methamphetamine users (35.62 ng/L). The SNP rs1344706 homozygous (AA) genotype was more common in schizophrenia patients (36% vs. 16%) and methamphetamine addiction patients (4%), with significant differences (OR= 1.32, 95%CI= 1.32-11.75, p=0.014 and OR= 11.7, 95%CI=02.43-56.4, p=0.002, respectively).   Conclusion:  The AA genotype of rs1344706 polymorphism could be considered a risk factor for schizophrenia but has a protective role against methamphetamine addiction. Serum level of ZNF804A could be used to confirm the diagnosis of schizophrenia in young individuals with subtle clinical features.