No association between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene and panic disorder in Japanese population.

Panic disorder (PD) is a severe and chronic psychiatric disorder, with significant genetic components in the etiology. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, which has regulatory effects on neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin and dopamine, is a candidate for susceptibility locus of PD. This study investigated three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of BDNF (rs6265 (Val66Met), rs11030104 and rs7103411) in Japanese patients with PD and controls. No significant association was observed between the three SNPs and PD. No association of the Val66Met was consistent with two small studies in Japanese and Chinese populations. We therefore conclude that the BDNF polymorphism may not play a major role in PD in the East Asian populations.