Family-based association study of 5-HT2A and 5-HT6 and APOE gene in Chinese autistic children

Objective To investigate the association between 5-HT2A,5-HT6,APOE gene and Chinese autistic children. Methods The ploymorphisms of 5-HT2A,5-HT6 ,APOE gene were detected with PCR-RFLP in parent/offspring trios where the proband met the ICD-10 autism criteria. Transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis was used in all nucleus families. Results (1) The differences of 5-HT2A,5-HT6, APOE genotypic distribution between two groups were not statistical significant (P0.05). (2) With transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis,there was a linkage association between autism and 5-HT6 gene polymorphism(P=0.04). Conclusion It showed a possibility of linkage association between autism and 5-HT6 gene, and 5-HTs may be a predisposing gene of Chinese autistic children. Key words: Autistic disorder;  5-HT2A ;  5-HT6;  APOE;  Gene;  Polymorphism;  Transmission/ disequilibrium test Association analysis