No influence of FAT polymorphisms in response to aripiprazole

The aim of this study was to investigate possible influences of a set of markers in the FAT gene (rs2306987, rs2306990, rs2637777 and rs2304865) on efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenic patients. Efficacy was assessed at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 using the Clinical Global Impression Severity and Improvement scale (CGI-S; CGI-I), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Schedule for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms scale. Side effects were evaluated by means of the Simpson-Angus Scale for Extrapyramidal Symptoms, the Barnes Akathisia Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. Multivariate analyses were employed to test possible influences of single nucleotide polymorphisms on clinical and safety variables. Analysis of haplotypes was also performed. No relevant association between FAT variants and clinical or safety scores was observed. Haplotype analysis did not reveal any significant association with clinical and safety scores at any time as well. Our data suggest no association between investigated alleles and genotypes in FAT and response to aripiprazole. However, because several limitations characterize the present study, further investigations on larger studies are required.