Polymorphism in the promoter region of the alpha 2A adrenergic receptor gene and mood disorders

Alpha 2 adrenergic receptors are thought to play a crucial role in the etiology or treatment of mood disorders. Polymorphism(s) in the promoter region of the alpha 2 receptor may affect the gene expression and be associated with mood disorders. We studied the previously reported polymorphisms of the alpha 2A receptor gene at position-1291 in 114 healthy controls and 103 mood disorder patients. There was statistically no difference between controls and patients in either the genotype or the allele frequency. There was statistically no difference between the genotype and the clinical characteristics. Our results suggest there is no association between this polymorphism in the promoter region of the alpha 2A receptor gene and mood disorders.