MAO-A gene polymorphisms are associated with major depression and sleep disturbance in males.

We investigated whether the genetic variants of the MAO-A gene were associated with major depression and/or the clusters of depressive symptoms. The EcoRV and the uVNTR polymorphisms were studied in a population of 191 patients with major depression and 233 control subjects. The EcoRV polymorphism was found to be associated with depression in males but not in females.

Does fluoxetine influence major depression by modifying five-factor personality traits?

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective in the treatment of depression, though response to them is difficult to predict. The aims of this study were two-fold: (1) to determine the differences in personality profile between patients with major depression and healthy control subjects and (2) to assess the effect of treatment with fluoxetine on personality domain scores and determine whether any of the personality traits can predict the outcome of antidepressant treatment.

Methods: The study included 53 patients with major depression and 53 healthy controls.