Citation

Bah J, Lindstrom M, Westberg L, Mannerås L, Ryding E, Henningsson S, Melke J, Rosén I, Träskman-Bendz L, Eriksson E. Psychiatry Res. 2008; 162(3): 221-229.

Affiliation

Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pscychresns.2007.07.004

PMID

18314311

Abstract

The efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depression and anxiety disorders suggests the gene coding for the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), SLC6A4, as a candidate of importance for these conditions. Positive findings regarding associations between polymorphisms in SLC6A4 have been reported, indicating that these polymorphisms may influence anxiety-related personality traits, as well as the risk of developing depression and suicidality. Serotonin 5-HTT availability was assessed with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), using (123)I-beta-CIT as ligand, in a population of unmedicated male suicide attempters (n=9) and in matched controls (n= 9). Two polymorphisms in SLC6A4 were assessed, including the 5-HTTLPR located in the promoter region and a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 2 (STin2). In suicide attempters, but not in controls, low 5-HTT availability was associated with the S allele of 5-HTTLPR and with the 12 repeat allele of STin2. Data suggest that polymorphisms in SLC6A4 may influence the expression of the brain serotonin transporter in suicide attempters.

Language: en