Linkage disequilibrium between the beta frequency of the human EEG and a GABAA receptor gene locus

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Mar 19;99(6):3729-33. doi: 10.1073/pnas.052716399. Epub 2002 Mar 12.

Abstract

Human brain oscillations represent important features of information processing and are highly heritable. A common feature of beta oscillations (13-28 Hz) is the critical involvement of networks of inhibitory interneurons as pacemakers, gated by gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) action. Advances in molecular and statistical genetics permit examination of quantitative traits such as the beta frequency of the human electroencephalogram in conjunction with DNA markers. We report a significant linkage and linkage disequilibrium between beta frequency and a set of GABA(A) receptor genes. Uncovering the genes influencing brain oscillations provides a better understanding of the neural function involved in information processing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 / genetics*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Markers / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium / genetics*
  • Lod Score
  • Middle Aged
  • Multigene Family / genetics
  • Quantitative Trait, Heritable*
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Receptors, GABA-A