OBJECTIVE: To investigate the involvement of neuroendocrine candidate genes in the aetiopathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and intragenic microsatellite markers within five neuroendocrine candidate genes (CRH, CBG, CYP19, ESR1, PRL) were investigated in 463 clinically characterized UK Caucasian JIA patients and a panel of 276 unrelated, healthy UK Caucasian controls. RESULTS: None of the polymorphisms investigated showed any statistically significant associations with JIA. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of association with polymorphisms of these neuroendocrine genes suggests that they are not involved in susceptibility to JIA.