Noradrenergic dysfunction due to abnormalities in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of suicidal behavior in mood disorders.
Because of its key regulatory role in central and peripheral catecholamine synthesis, TH is associated with the pathogenesis of several neurological and psychiatric diseases, including Parkinson's disease, dystonia, schizophrenia, affective disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.
It is of great interest that prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, tyrosine hydroxylase, Cart, Homer1 and glutamate decarboxylase have already been implicated in affective disorders by different approaches in previous reports.
The study could not support the involvement of tyrosine hydroxylase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and Wolfram syndrome 1 polymorphisms in mood disorders.
The D2 and D3 dopamine receptors were, therefore, not a major liability factor for mood disorders in our sample, whereas TH may play a role in a subgroup of patients.