Abstract: Objective To investigate the genetic association between schizophrenia and the polymorphism of GABAA receptor β2
subunit (GABRB2) gene. Methods A population association analysis was performed of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) in the proximal promoter of GABRB2 gene by PCR and sequencing of the genomic DNA in a cohort of 172
schizophrenics and 167 controls of Chinese Han nationality. Results One out of the 5 SNPs, namely rs3811996, was found to be
significantly associated with schizophrenia especially in the male cohorts, where the heterozygous genotypes (A/G) and minor
allele G displayed lower frequencies in case group than in the controls. Conclusion We found a new risk, SNP rs3811996, for
paranoia schizophrenia, which further supports the importance of genetic variations of GABRB2 in the etiology of
schizophrenia.