Abstract

Objective: To investigate a possible association of mutations in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) gene with psychiatric disorders in a large family with monogenic parkinsonism.

Method: 20 members of a family (4 homozygous, 11 heterozygous and 5 non-mutation carriers) were investigated for the presence of psychiatric disorders using the structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th edition (DSM-IV); information on three additional heterozygous mutation carriers was obtained according to the family history research diagnostic criteria.

Results: We found predominantly affective and schizophrenia spectrum disorders in 11 (61%) of the 18 mutation carriers and in 1 (20%) of the 5 mutation-negative cases.

Conclusions: First, affective and psychotic symptoms may be part of the phenotypic spectrum or even the sole manifestation of PINK1 mutations. Second, patients with familial movement disorders associated with psychiatric conditions may serve as a valuable study population to explore (genetic) causes of neuropsychiatric disease.