Key result
ACE gene I allele is linked to higher risk of panic disorder in men.
Why the study?
The role of ACE gene variation, specifically the I/D polymorphism, in the pathomechanism of panic disorder and its potential gender-specific effects was unclear.
Is the ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism associated with panic disorder?
Case-Control (n=204)
Is the ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism associated with panic disorder?
The ACE I allele may be associated with panic disorder in men, suggesting a potential gender-specific genetic risk factor.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
ACE I/D polymorphism may link to panic disorder gender-specifically; leaves open confirmation in larger cohorts before any clinical relevance.
Family, twin, and segregation analytic studies indicate a complex genetic contribution to panic disorder with an estimated heritability of 48%. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) degrades substance P, which has been implicated in anxiety-related behaviour. ACE has been suggested as a potential risk factor in the pathogenesis of panic attacks. A functional insertion deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene was suggested to be associated with panic disorder in a potentially gender-specific way ( Olsson et al. 2004 ). The present study aimed to replicate this finding and thereby to further elucidate the role of ACE gene variation in the pathomechanism of panic disorder. The ACE I/D polymorphism was genotyped in a sample of 102 German patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia as well as a healthy German control group matched with regard to age and sex (n = 102). In the male subgroup (n = 43) of panic patients a significant association of the ACE I allele (P = 0.0474) and genotypes containing the I allele (P = 0.0195), respectively, was observed. The present results provide further support for a potentially male-specific role of the less active ACE I allele in the pathogenesis of panic disorder, possibly by altering substance P levels.
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Bandelow et al. (2010) conducted a case-control in Panic disorder (n=204). ACE I/D polymorphism (ACE I allele) vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Association of ACE I allele and genotypes containing the I allele with panic disorder in the male subgroup (p=0.0474). The ACE I allele and genotypes containing the I allele were significantly associated with panic disorder in the male subgroup (P=0.0474 and P=0.0195, respectively).
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