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Role of the novel tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene in Tourette syndrome

Molecular Psychiatry volume 12, pages 617–619 (2007)Cite this article

Tourette syndrome is thought to be of polygenic aetiology. Decreased concentrations of serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), in brain and cerebrospinal fluid of Tourette patients led us to speculate that 5-HT synthesis might be implicated in the pathogenesis of the disorder. We therefore focussed on the novel enzyme responsible for 5-HT synthesis in the brain, tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2). Our findings indicate an important role of genetic variation of TPH2 in the pathogenesis of Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder, which is characterized by chronic motor tics and at least one phonic tic. An increasing body of evidence points to an involvement of the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome. Thus, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) concentrations are decreased in subcortical brain regions in this disorder.1 Similarly, levels of the 5-HT metabolite 5-HIAA are reduced in these brain regions1 and in cerebrospinal fluid of Tourette syndrome patients.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany;

    R Mössner & N Döring

  2. Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    K R Müller-Vahl

  3. Institute of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    M Stuhrmann

Authors
  1. R Mössner
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  2. K R Müller-Vahl
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  3. N Döring
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  4. M Stuhrmann
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Correspondence to R Mössner.

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Mössner, R., Müller-Vahl, K., Döring, N. et al. Role of the novel tryptophan hydroxylase-2 gene in Tourette syndrome. Mol Psychiatry 12, 617–619 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4002004

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