Risk variant of oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 is associated with reduced white matter integrity

Hum Brain Mapp. 2013 Sep;34(9):2025-31. doi: 10.1002/hbm.22045. Epub 2012 Apr 16.

Abstract

The oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) regulates the genesis of oligodendrocytes, the brain cells responsible for axonal myelination. Although it has been associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders, the impact of this gene on white matter integrity has never been investigated in humans. Using diffusion tensor imaging, we examined the effect of a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1059004) in OLIG2 previously associated with reduced gene expression, and with psychiatric disorders on fractional anisotropy in 78 healthy subjects. We found that the risk allele (A) was associated with reduced white matter integrity in the corona radiata bilaterally. This is consistent with evidence that it is a schizophrenia susceptibility gene, and suggests that it may confer increased risk through an effect on neuroanatomical connectivity.

Keywords: diffusion tensor imaging; fractional anisotropy; genetics; myelin; schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • OLIG2 protein, human
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2