Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Gene Polymorphism Increases the Risk of Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder

Neural cell adhesion molecule-1 (NCAM-1), a marker of synaptic plasticity is reported to be altered and associated with cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to analyse the allele and genotype frequency of neural cell adhesion molecule-1 (NCAM-I) gene polymorphism (rs1836796, rs2303377, rs584427, rs646558) and plasma NCAM-I levels in schizophrenia and their association with cognitive function. Two hundred and sixteen (216) schizophrenia patients and 216 controls were enrolled in the study. NCAM-I polymorphism and its plasma levels were analysed in cases and controls. Cognitive status was evaluated using ACE-III scores. The rs 1836796 genotype was associated with cognitive status (p = 0.011) in schizophrenia. Among the genotypes of rs 1836796, the TT variant (OR: 2.193, 95% CI: 1.097–4.386, p = 0.0292) conferred a potential increased risk of schizophrenia. Attention score (p < 0.05), memory score (p < 0.01), fluency score (p < 0.01), language score (p < 0.01), Visuospatial abilities score (p < 0.01) and total ACE III scores (p < 0.01) were significantly reduced; negative symptom score (p < 0.01), general psychopathological Score (p < 0.01) and total PANSS score (p < 0.01) was significantly increased in TT genotype compared to GG genotype. We conclude that single nucleotide polymorphisms of NCAM-I increase the risk of schizophrenia and are related to severity of the disease and cognitive impairment.