BACKGROUND: The functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5HTTLPR) has been earlier associated with affective disorders. No research has however been carried out to identify the relationship between this polymorphism and depressive traits and subclinical depressive symptoms within a psychiatrically healthy population. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight female subjects with no lifetime or current history of DSM-IV Axis I disorders participated in the study. All subjects completed the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and were genotyped for the 5HTTLPR polymorphism. RESULTS: Significant differences were found on the Zung SDS and also on the physical-vegetative subscale of the Zung SDS according to both phenotype and genotype. Subjects carrying the s allele scored significantly higher on the Zung SDS and had also significantly higher scores on the physical-vegetative symptom subscale. Furthermore, subjects carrying the ss genotype scored highest and subjects carrying the ll genotype scored the lowest on both scales. CONCLUSION: Subclinical depressive symptoms (i.e. DSM-IV subthreshold depression) are associated with the functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene. The main association between this polymorphism and subclinical depression is primarily carried by the physical symptoms of depression. The s allele of the 5HTTLPR gene is associated with a "low mood endophenotype".
BACKGROUND: The functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5HTTLPR) has been earlier associated with affective disorders. No research has however been carried out to identify the relationship between this polymorphism and depressive traits and subclinical depressive symptoms within a psychiatrically healthy population. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight female subjects with no lifetime or current history of DSM-IV Axis I disorders participated in the study. All subjects completed the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and were genotyped for the 5HTTLPR polymorphism. RESULTS: Significant differences were found on the Zung SDS and also on the physical-vegetative subscale of the Zung SDS according to both phenotype and genotype. Subjects carrying the s allele scored significantly higher on the Zung SDS and had also significantly higher scores on the physical-vegetative symptom subscale. Furthermore, subjects carrying the ss genotype scored highest and subjects carrying the ll genotype scored the lowest on both scales. CONCLUSION: Subclinical depressive symptoms (i.e. DSM-IV subthreshold depression) are associated with the functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene. The main association between this polymorphism and subclinical depression is primarily carried by the physical symptoms of depression. The s allele of the 5HTTLPR gene is associated with a "low mood endophenotype".
Authors: P Rucci; V L Nimgaonkar; H Mansour; M Miniati; I Masala; A Fagiolini; G B Cassano; E Frank Journal: Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet Date: 2009-10-05 Impact factor: 3.568
Authors: Beverly H Brummett; Stephen H Boyle; Cynthia M Kuhn; Ilene C Siegler; Redford B Williams Journal: Biol Psychol Date: 2008-03-12 Impact factor: 3.251
Authors: Saikat Chakraborty; Jack C Lennon; Sridhar A Malkaram; Yan Zeng; Daniel W Fisher; Hongxin Dong Journal: Neurosci Lett Date: 2019-04-01 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Beverly H Brummett; Christopher L Muller; Ann L Collins; Stephen H Boyle; Cynthia M Kuhn; Ilene C Siegler; Redford B Williams; Allison Ashley-Koch Journal: Behav Genet Date: 2008-07-26 Impact factor: 2.805
Authors: Beverly H Brummett; Stephen H Boyle; Ilene C Siegler; Cynthia M Kuhn; Allison Ashley-Koch; Charles R Jonassaint; Stephan Züchner; Ann Collins; Redford B Williams Journal: Behav Genet Date: 2007-10-23 Impact factor: 2.805