BACKGROUND: The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and a responsible mediator for the itch. Dysregulation of serotonergic pathways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many complex neuropsychiatric diseases. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lichen simplex chronicus and dysfunction and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphism. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with lichen simplex chronicus and 61 healthy control subjects were examined. RESULTS: The results for the patients and control subjects were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in long/long (L/L) and long/short (L/S) genotypes of 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (HTTLPR) polymorphism, but short/short S/S genotype was lower in lichen simplex chronicus patients (17.9%) than in controls (42.6%). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.028). The results for the patients and control subjects were not significantly different in 12/12, 10/12 and 10/10 genotypes of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism (P > 0.05). Beck depression inventory (BDI) scores and symptom checklist-90-revised (SCL-90) psychotic subscale were overrepresented significantly in the 12/12 genotypes than 10/12 genotypes. State and Trait Anxiety Inventory tests (STAI-I and -II) point averages were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: S/S genotypes of HTTLPR polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene may be related to lichen simplex chronicus and that patients who have 12/12 genotypes of VNTR polymorphism may be affected psychiatrically.
BACKGROUND: The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and a responsible mediator for the itch. Dysregulation of serotonergic pathways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many complex neuropsychiatric diseases. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lichen simplex chronicus and dysfunction and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphism. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with lichen simplex chronicus and 61 healthy control subjects were examined. RESULTS: The results for the patients and control subjects were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in long/long (L/L) and long/short (L/S) genotypes of 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (HTTLPR) polymorphism, but short/short S/S genotype was lower in lichen simplex chronicus patients (17.9%) than in controls (42.6%). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.028). The results for the patients and control subjects were not significantly different in 12/12, 10/12 and 10/10 genotypes of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism (P > 0.05). Beck depression inventory (BDI) scores and symptom checklist-90-revised (SCL-90) psychotic subscale were overrepresented significantly in the 12/12 genotypes than 10/12 genotypes. State and Trait Anxiety Inventory tests (STAI-I and -II) point averages were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: S/S genotypes of HTTLPR polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene may be related to lichen simplex chronicus and that patients who have 12/12 genotypes of VNTR polymorphism may be affected psychiatrically.
Authors: Michael M Havranek; Matthias Vonmoos; Christian P Müller; Jessica R Büetiger; Eve Tasiudi; Lea M Hulka; Katrin H Preller; Rainald Mössner; Edna Grünblatt; Erich Seifritz; Boris B Quednow Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2015-05-27 Impact factor: 7.853