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A triallelic serotonin transporter gene, life events and depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

G. Zalsman
Affiliation:
Geha Mental Health Center, Petach Tikva, Israel Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Y.Y. Huang
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
M.A. Oquendo
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
A.K. Burke
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
X. Hu
Affiliation:
National Institute of Health NIMH, Bethesda, MD, USA
D.A. Brent
Affiliation:
Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
S.P. Ellis
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
D. Goldman
Affiliation:
National Institute of Health NIMH, Bethesda, MD, USA
J.J. Mann
Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

Abstract

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Background

The short allele of the serotonin transporter gene 5’ promoter region polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) is reported by A. Caspi and others to be associated with susceptibility to depression and suicidality in response to stressful life events. We examined the relationship of a triallelic 5-HTTLPR polymorphism to stressful life events (SLE) and severity of major depression and suicidality.

Method

Mood disorder subjects (N=191) and healthy volunteers (N=125), all Caucasians of European origin, were genotyped for the triallelic 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, two low expressing alleles (LG, S) and a higher expressing LA allele. All subjects underwent structured clinical interviews for DSM IV diagnoses, ratings of psychopathology, stressful life events, developmental history and suicidal behavior. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-HIAA was assayed in a sub-sample.

Results

Lower expressing alleles independently predicted greater depression severity and predicted greater severity of major depression with moderate-severe life events compared with the LA allele. No associations with suicidal behavior and CSF 5-HIAA were found.

Conclusions

Low expression transporter alleles explain 31% of the variance in major depression severity and increase the impact of stressful life events on severity. The biological phenotype responsible for these effects remains to be elucidated

Type
FC01. Free Communications: Mood Disorders
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2007
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