BACKGROUND: Mixed evidence has suggested that homozygous carriers of the short allele (s/s) of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may be at increased risk for depression, if they have also been exposed to early or current adversity/stress. We address this debate by examining the relation of a stressful early family environment, recent adversity/stress, and the 5-HTTLPR to depressive symptomatology in a normal sample. METHODS: A nonclinical sample of 118 young adult men and women completed assessments of early family environment, recent stressful events, psychosocial resources, and psychological distress, including depressive symptomatology. The 5-HTTLPR was genotyped using a standard protocol with DNA extracted from oral fluid. RESULTS: A stressful early family environment was significantly related to depressive symptomatology. In addition, gene-by-environment (GxE) interactions were observed between the 5-HTTLPR and both early family environment and current adversity/stress. Individuals homozygous for the short allele had greater depressive symptomatology if they had experienced early or recent adversity but significantly less depressive symptomatology if they reported a supportive early environment or recent positive experiences, compared with participants with the s/l or l/l genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Early or current environment, in conjunction with the serotonin transporter polymorphism, predicts depressive symptomatology.
BACKGROUND: Mixed evidence has suggested that homozygous carriers of the short allele (s/s) of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may be at increased risk for depression, if they have also been exposed to early or current adversity/stress. We address this debate by examining the relation of a stressful early family environment, recent adversity/stress, and the 5-HTTLPR to depressive symptomatology in a normal sample. METHODS: A nonclinical sample of 118 young adult men and women completed assessments of early family environment, recent stressful events, psychosocial resources, and psychological distress, including depressive symptomatology. The 5-HTTLPR was genotyped using a standard protocol with DNA extracted from oral fluid. RESULTS: A stressful early family environment was significantly related to depressive symptomatology. In addition, gene-by-environment (GxE) interactions were observed between the 5-HTTLPR and both early family environment and current adversity/stress. Individuals homozygous for the short allele had greater depressive symptomatology if they had experienced early or recent adversity but significantly less depressive symptomatology if they reported a supportive early environment or recent positive experiences, compared with participants with the s/l or l/l genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Early or current environment, in conjunction with the serotonin transporter polymorphism, predicts depressive symptomatology.
Authors: Heejung S Kim; David K Sherman; Joni Y Sasaki; Jun Xu; Thai Q Chu; Chorong Ryu; Eunkook M Suh; Kelsey Graham; Shelley E Taylor Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2010-08-19 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Gene H Brody; Steven R H Beach; Robert A Philibert; Yi-Fu Chen; Man-Kit Lei; Velma McBride Murry; Anita C Brown Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2009-02
Authors: Claudia M Haase; Laura R Saslow; Lian Bloch; Sarina R Saturn; James J Casey; Benjamin H Seider; Jessica Lane; Giovanni Coppola; Robert W Levenson Journal: Emotion Date: 2013-10-07