The association of the rs1344706 polymorphism of the ZNF804A gene with EEG rhythm synchronization/ desynchronization parameters during the visual perception of semantic and meaningless verbal information was studied in patients with schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (n = 93) and mentally healthy subjects (n = 93). On reading verbal information, regardless of mental status, subjects with the AA genotype showed lower synchronization of the θ rhythm than carriers of the C allele.
As compared with carriers of the C allele, healthy carriers of the AA allele showed lower synchronization of the θ rhythm in the posterior cortical areas of the left hemisphere, no difference in synchronization of the γ rhythm, and desynchronization of the μ rhythm on perception of semantic and meaningless verbal information. Patients carrying the AA variant, as compared with carriers of the C variant, showed a lower degree of μ-rhythm desynchronization, which correlated with the severity of speech disorders on the PANSS.
The results obtained here indicate that the rs1344706 polymorphism of the ZNF804A gene has a modulating effect on the neurophysiological characteristics of the reading process and contributes to the variability of clinically expressed speech disorders.