CACNA1C Gene rs1006737 Polymorphism Affects Cognitive Performance in Chinese Han Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between L-type calcium channel α1C subunit (CACNA1C) gene polymorphism and schizophrenia (SCZ) and cognitive function in the Han nationality, the main nationality in China. METHODS: Genotyping of CACNA1C SNP (rs1006737, rs1024582, rs2007044) in SCZ patients (n = 312) and healthy controls (n = 305) was performed. Cognitive function was assessed in the SCZ patients using Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Then, the correlation between SNP and SCZ, as well as cognition, was calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in allele frequency and genotype distribution frequency of the three polymorphic loci of CACNA1C gene between the two groups. In cognitive tests, delayed memory scores in RBANS were significantly lower in rs1006737 “A” risk allele carriers than in non-carriers. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in allele and genotype frequency of CANCA1C Gene rs1006737, rs1024582 and rs2007044 between the schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The cognitive function of schizophrenia patients is correlated with the rs1006737, and the delayed memory of “A” allele carriers is significantly reduced.