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NIMH study identifies genetic markers of lithium response

Results from a genome-wide study conducted by researchers from the NIMH identified an area of chromosome in individuals with bipolar disorder associated with responsiveness to lithium.

To investigate variability of lithium response in individuals with bipolar disorder, Liping Hou, PhD, of the NIMH, Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues conducted a genome-wide association study of lithium response in 2,563 patients collected by 22 sites from the International Consortium on Lithium Genetics. They tested data from common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for association with categorical and continuous rates of lithium response.

Four SNPs on a single location in chromosome 21 met criteria for association with lithium response.

Independent analysis of 73 patients who received lithium monotherapy for up to 2 years indicated significantly lower rates of relapse among carriers of the response-associated alleles compared with carriers of alternate alleles.

“The response-associated region contains two genes for long, non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), AL157359.3 and AL157359.4. LncRNAs are increasingly appreciated as important regulators of gene expression, particularly in the [central nervous system],” Hou and colleagues wrote. “Confirmed biomarkers of lithium response would constitute an important step forward in the clinical management of bipolar disorder. Further studies are needed to establish the biological context and potential clinical utility of these findings.”

Disclosure: Please see the full study for a list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.