The DAOA region is an effect modifier in predicting positive, negative and disorganized schizotypal symptoms in healthy participants

Abstract

The effect of the DAOA region on schizotypal symptoms has been very contradictory, and research of the effect of this region in healthy subjects is lacking. This pilot study measured variation on the DAOA SNP rs3918342; childhood trauma, recent life events, recent daily hassles, neuroticism, working memory and IQ; and positive, negative and disorganized schizotypal symptoms. 68 healthy participants from a suburb of Utrecht were tested, 34 with variant C/C and 34 with variant T/T. The groups did not differ in age, sex, schizotypal symptoms or any of the other variables. However, Gene x Environment interactions were found, with neuropsychological functioning being a more important predictor of schizotypal symptoms in the group with variant C/C and daily stress being more important in the group with variant T/T. Research results of the DAOA region have been contradictory, but this pilot study has shown that in healthy participants, instead of a direct effect on schizotypal symptoms, DAOA modifies the effect of environmental factors, particularly cognitive functioning and stress.