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The GSK-3β gene, GSK3B, codes for an enzyme that is a target for the action of mood stabilizers, lithium and possibly valproic acid.In this study, the relationship between haplotypes consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GSK3B -50T/C and -1727A/T and the effect of lithium was studied among Japanese bipolar disorder lithium nonresponders and responders.The distributions of the GSK3B haplotypes (-50T/C and -1727A/T) showed a trend for significant difference between the lithium nonresponders and responders (global P=0.07074). Haplotype 1 (T-A) was associated with a higher lithium response (haplotype-specific P=0.03477), whereas haplotype 2 (C-A) was associated with a lower lithium response (haplotype-specific P=0.03443).The pairwise D' and r values between the 2 SNPs in this study were 1.0 and 0.097, respectively. The 2 SNPs showed weak linkage disequilibrium with each other.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of aripiprazole in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia., Methods: A total of 45 patients were enrolled in an open-label 12-week study. Dosing was determined by clinical judgment. The main efficacy measure was the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Patients with a 50% or greater decrease in BPRS total score plus a final Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness scale score of < or =3 (mildly ill) were considered as responders., Results: Of 45 subjects, 3 did not return after baseline assessment, leaving an intent-to-treat sample of 42 subjects. The mean dosage of aripiprazole was 17.8 mg/d (SD, 9.5) at study end point (last observation). The responder rate was 78.6% (33/42). The BPRS excitement symptom subscale score at baseline was significantly higher in nonresponders compared with responders (P < 0.001). Restlessness/irritability was the most frequent side effect (40.5% [17/42]), being well controlled by benzodiazepines. Body weight and metabolic parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose did not change during this study., Conclusions: Aripiprazole produced favorable outcomes and good tolerance in the first-episode schizophrenia. Double-blind crossover trials are needed to confirm our observation.