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Genetic insights into schizophrenia: ERBB4 and GABRB2 polymorphisms in the Lebanese population

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The ERBB4 and GABRB2 genes have been given their keen roles in various neurological phenomena, in addition to the involvement of various environmental factors. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of ERBB4 rs839523 C/T and GABRB2 rs1816072 T/C polymorphisms in Lebanese patients with schizophrenia. Materials and methods: A questionnaire-based case-control study recruiting 100 participants of matched characteristics was conducted. A Tetra Primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Reaction (T-ARMS PCR) was performed to evaluate the prevalence of the studied polymorphisms. Results: There were no correlations found between schizophrenia and the ERBB4 rs839523C/T polymorphism (p = 0.096 for genotypes and p = 0.113 for alleles) or the GABRB2 rs1816072 T/C polymorphism (p = 1.00 for genotypes and p = 0.15 for alleles) in the Lebanese population. However, the logistic regression model showed that the mutant homozygous (TT) genotype of the SNP rs839523 in ERBB4 tended to be significant (p = 0.063) with the schizophrenia status. When considering alleles individually, the logistic regression did not reveal any significant associations; however, the C allele of ERBB4 rs839523 showed a trend toward significance. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the mutant homozygous (TT) genotype of the SNP rs839523 in ERBB4 showed a trend toward significance. These findings suggest a potential role for ERBB4 genetic variation in schizophrenia susceptibility, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts.

Source: IBRO Neuroscience Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2025.08.024

Authors: Jeanne d’arc Bacha, Nabiha Dannawi, Dana Yassine, Chadia Haddad, Georges Haddad, Dory Hachem