No Association Between NPAS2 rs6425296 Polymorphism and Seasonality, Diurnal Preference in Koreans

Abstract

Objective: Seasonal variations in mood and behavior and diurnal preference are associated with several genes that regulate circadian rhythms. In this study, we investigated the association of the NPAS2 rs6725296 polymorphism with seasonality and diurnal preference.Methods: A total of 510 healthy subjects were genotyped for the NPAS2 rs6725296 polymorphism and completed self-report questionnaires on seasonality and diurnal preferences. Seasonality was evaluated using the seasonal pattern assessment questionnaire, and diurnal preference was evaluated using the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM). We assessed the association of genotype and allele carrier status with the total and subscale scores of global seasonality scores (GSS) for seasonality and the total and subscale scores of CSM for diurnal preference.Results: No significant associations were found between the NPAS2 rs6725296 genotype and the allele carrier status and the GSS and CSM scores.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the NPAS2 rs6725296 polymorphism may not contribute to seasonality and diurnal preference in healthy Koreans. More studies with a larger number of subjects, inclusion of different ethnic groups, and complementation with objective measurements of seasonality and diurnal preference are necessary to evaluate the influence of genetics on seasonality and diurnal preference.