Why does StrateGene not evaluate GAD1 SNPs?

In a review of the literature, it becomes apparent that single GAD1 SNPs in isolation do not play a major role in many mental health conditions. While it is well established that lower GAD1 expression is found to exist with bipolar disease or schizophrenia, an actual true functional variant has yet to be discovered. Some initially promising single candidate SNPs have not been replicated in other populations and their functional impacts are not well understood. Haplotypes of many SNPs within GAD1 may prove to be useful, but research in this area is in its infancy.

It is clear however that GAD1 expression is greatly influenced by epigenetic factors: prenatal immune activation or viral infections, toxin exposures in utero or during early childhood and/or adolescence. In addition, poor nutrition or certain recreational and prescription drug use during brain development can result in dysregulated methylation patterns of CpG dinucleotides at the GAD1 proximal promoter. Recent research also implicates changes in microRNAs that interact with GAD1, along with a complex network of genes, termed the GAD1 regulatory network, in the regulation of GAD1 expression within the circuitry of the hippocampus.