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The serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR): allelic variation and links with depressive symptoms.
- Source :
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Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269) . Mar2010, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p260-269. 10p. 3 Charts, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2010
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Abstract
- Background: We compare the genotype distribution for the serotonin transporter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in a sample of older Taiwanese adults with samples of various racial and ethnic groups collected in other studies. We also explore interactions among sex, stressors, and 5-HTTLPR genotype on depressive symptoms in our sample. Methods: Using a nationally representative sample of 984 Taiwanese aged 53 and older, we model depressive symptoms as a function of 5-HTTLPR genotype and two classes of stressors: lifetime trauma and recent major life events. We test two- and three-way interactions among stressors, 5-HTTLPR, and sex. >Results: This sample exhibits higher frequency of S/S and lower frequency of L/L genotype than Western samples, but the distribution is comparable to those in East Asian populations. Nearly 9% carry an allele (XL) that has rarely been reported in the literature. Although the gene–environment (G×E) interaction with recent major life events is not significant, our results suggest that trauma has a worse effect on depressive symptoms for those with S/S or S/L genotype than for those who do not carry the S allele (P<0.05). We find no evidence that this G×E interaction varies by sex. Conclusions: Previous studies of this G×E interaction have been inconclusive, perhaps because interactions between genotype and stressful events are more prominent under extreme stressors. Our findings underscore the need to move beyond a bi-allelic parameterization of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and raise questions about why East Asian populations exhibit low rates of depression despite a high frequency of the S allele. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SEROTONIN
*PROTEINS
*MENTAL depression
*LIFE change events
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10914269
- Volume :
- 27
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 48600694
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20660