P2RX7 polymorphisms Gln460Arg and His155Tyr are not associated with major depressive disorder or remission after SSRI or ECT

Purinergic receptor P2X, ligand-gated ion channel, 7 (P2RX7) gene polymorphism, has been suggested to be associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). The association between P2RX7 gene polymorphism and remission after serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has not previously been studied. The aims of the present study were to test for an association between P2RX7 polymorphisms Gln460Arg (rs2230912) and His155Tyr (rs208294) and MDD in two patient populations compared to controls. The first patient sample consisted of 119 subjects with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, who were treated with ECT and the second of 99 depressive outpatients treated with SSRI. Genotype frequencies were also compared between remitters (Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) < 8) and non-remitters (defined as MADRS ≥ 8) to SSRI or ECT treatment. There were no differences in allele or genotype frequencies of either rs2230912 or rs208294 between patient groups and controls. Neither rs2230912 nor rs208294 was associated with MDD or remission after SSRI or ECT. The results suggest that P2RX7 gene polymorphisms Gln460Arg (rs2230912) and His155Tyr (rs208294) are not associated with MDD or remission after SSRI or ECT.

Research highlights
► P2RX7 polymorphisms Gln460Arg and His155Tyr may be associated with MDD.
► No previous studies on association between these SNPs and remission after SSRI or ECT.
► Neither Gln460Arg nor His155Tyr was associated with MDD.
► Neither Gln460Arg nor His155Tyr was associated with remission after SSRI or ECT.