Serotonin-related polymorphisms in TPH1 and HTR5A genes are not associated with escitalopram treatment response in Korean patients with major depression.

Background/aims: The genetic variations in serotonin-related genes may be associated with antidepressant treatment response in major depressive disorder (MDD). The tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (TPH1) gene and serotonin 5A receptor (HTR5A) gene are known to be involved in serotonin biosynthesis and signal transduction, respectively. The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible interaction between the TPH1 gene and the HTR5A gene in the treatment outcome of escitalopram in MDD.

Methods: In total, 245 patients diagnosed with MDD were recruited, and their symptoms were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD-17). The association between the TPH1 218A/C and HTR5A 12A/T polymorphisms and the clinical outcomes (remission, response and changes in HAMD-17 score) was investigated after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of escitalopram treatment using multiple logistic regression or multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: No significant associations of TPH1 or HTR5A gene polymorphisms were observed with either response rate or remission rate at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after escitalopram treatment. In addition, the gene-gene interaction between TPH1 and HTR5A genes was not associated with the treatment outcome.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that TPH1 218A/C and HTR5A 12A/T polymorphisms cannot predict treatment response in major depression.