Aims: Ethnic differences in genotype frequency provide a natural condition for assessing the contribution of gene variations to the causes and treatments of disease. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to determine whether ethnic variations in allele frequencies of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) of the SLC6A4 gene were related to the response to the treatment of depression.

Main Methods: African-Americans (n=101) and Caucasians (n=100) with major depressive disorder were treated with the antidepressant citalopram (20-60mg/day) for 8weeks. Genotyping for the long (L) and short (s) alleles (LL, Ls, and ss) of the SLC6A4 gene was performed and the association between genotype and treatment response was assessed.

Key Findings: Subjects in both ethnic groups showed a significant reduction in depression scores over time (p<.0001). However, in spite of a significantly greater frequency of the L allele in African-Americans as compared to Caucasians, a comparable clinical response between the two groups was found with 5-HTTLPR polymorphism not significantly associated with clinical response in either ethnic group.

Significance: The results are consistent with a previous finding and in accord with most of the results obtained in Caucasian subjects that SLC6A4 genotype is not related, at least by itself, to a response to treatment in either ethnic group to any clinically significant degree.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3786570PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2013.03.009DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

slc6a4 gene
8
response citalopram
4
citalopram associated
4
associated slc6a4
4
slc6a4 genotype
4
genotype african-americans
4
african-americans caucasians
4
caucasians major
4
major depression
4
depression aims
4

Similar Publications

The anti-inflammatory effect of phellodendrine (PHE), derived from Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, has been verified in previous studies. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with immune dysregulation and inflammatory processes. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of PHE on MDD through network pharmacology and experimental validation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Association of the 5HTTLPR/rs25531 Genetic Variant with Depression in a Cohort of Primary Care Patients].

Rev Med Chil

May 2024

Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.

Unlabelled: Serotonin plays a central role in mood regulation and the development of depressive disorders. The serotonin transporter, the primary regulator of serotonin levels, presents genetic variants that affect its functionality.

Aim: To study whether functional bi-allelic 5-HTTLPR or tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene are associated with the diagnosis of depression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Serotonergic-dependent effects of exercise and elevated stress hormone on small non-coding RNA transcriptomics and proteomics in a mouse model of affective disorders.

Neuropharmacology

March 2025

Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. Electronic address:

Environmental changes may alter gene expression in depression and anxiety disorders through epigenetic regulation, including via small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) and their major subclass, microRNAs (miRNAs). However, underlying mechanisms mediating miRNA regulation in response to changing environmental stimuli are unclear. Using the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) knockout (KO) mouse model of depression/anxiety, this study aimed to compare the effects of voluntary exercise (EX) versus chronic treatment with the stress hormone corticosterone (CT), on hippocampal miRNA transcriptome and proteome in five comparison groups: WT-SH vs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This longitudinal study aimed to explore the connection between two specific genetic polymorphisms, Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR, and the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in patients from primary care settings. We also examined the role of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors to provide a more comprehensive view of PTSD risk.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We investigated associations between prenatal genocidal trauma, including maternal rape, and postnatal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on DNA methylation of genes associated with the stress response. In a comparative cross-sectional study of 91 Rwandan young adults, categorized by prenatal exposure to genocide and maternal rape, genocide without rape, and unexposed controls, we analyzed DNA methylation from dried blood spots and assessed ACEs and depression and anxiety symptoms at age 24. Prenatal exposure to maternal rape was associated with DNA methylation changes in BDNF and SLC6A4, with the association in BDNF attenuated after including ACE exposure in the model.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!