The ankyrin-3 gene is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder and externalizing comorbidity

Summary Background The ankyrin 3 gene ( ANK3 ) produces the ankyrin G protein that plays an integral role in regulating neuronal activity. Previous studies have linked ANK3 to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. A recent mouse study suggests that ANK3 may regulate behavioral disinhibition and stress reactivity. This led us to hypothesize that ANK3 might also be associated with stress-related psychopathology such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as disorders of the externalizing spectrum such as antisocial personality disorder and substance-related disorders that are etiologically linked to impulsivity and temperamental disinhibition. Methods We examined the possibility of association between ANK3 SNPs and both PTSD and externalizing (defined by a factor score representing a composite of adult antisociality and substance abuse) in a cohort of white non-Hispanic combat veterans and their intimate partners ( n = 554). Initially, we focused on rs9804190—a SNP previously reported to be associated with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and ankyrin G expression in brain. Then we examined 358 additional ANK3 SNPs utilizing a multiple-testing correction. Results rs9804190 was associated with both externalizing and PTSD ( p = 0.028 and p = 0.042 respectively). Analysis of other ANK3 SNPs identified several that were more strongly associated with either trait. The most significant association with externalizing was observed at rs1049862 ( p = 0.00040, p corrected = 0.60). The most significant association with PTSD ( p = 0.00060, p corrected = 0.045) was found with three SNPs in complete linkage disequilibrium (LD)—rs28932171, rs11599164, and rs17208576. Conclusions These findings support a role of ANK3 in risk of stress-related and externalizing disorders, beyond its previous associations with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.