Association of an Interleukin-1β Genetic Polymorphism With Altered Brain Structure in Patients With Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect on brain morphology of an interleukin-1β genetic polymorphism (C→T transition at position –511) in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: In vivo magnetic resonance imaging and genotype analysis were used in the examination of 44 male schizophrenic patients and 48 healthy male comparison subjects. RESULTS: No association between the interleukin-1β polymorphism and schizophrenia was detected. Within the patient group, bifrontal-temporal gray matter volume deficits and generalized white matter tissue deficits in allele 2 carriers (genotype T/T or C/T) were found. In contrast, the interleukin-1β polymorphism had no influence on brain morphology within the healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that allele 2 within the promoter region of the interleukin-1β gene at position –511 contributes to structural brain alterations in patients with schizophrenia.