Abstract
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder in which dopaminergic dysfunction and immune system abnormalities seem to coexist. Using real-time PCR, we determined mRNA expression of dopamine receptors (DRs) D1-5 in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from 15 TS patients and 15 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). DRD5 mRNA levels in cells from TS were higher than in cells from HCs. In TS patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, DRD5 mRNA levels in PBLs showed a highly positive correlation with the severity of compulsive symptoms. DRD5 mRNA upregulation in PBLs from TS patients may represent a peripheral marker of dopaminergic dysfunction and supports the involvement of the immune system in TS.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 24-29 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Psychiatric Research |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2008 |
Keywords
- Dopamine receptors
- Peripheral blood lymphocytes
- Peripheral marker
- Real-time PCR
- Tourette syndrome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry