Citation

Young KA, Bonkale WL, Holcomb LA, Hicks PB, German DC. Br. J. Psychiatry 2008; 192(4): 285-289.

Affiliation

Neuropsychiatry Research Program, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System and Texas A and M Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, 1901 S. 1st Street, Temple, TX 76504, USA. kayoung@medicine.tamhsc.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.107.039180

PMID

18378990

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The 5HTTLPR genetic variant of the serotonin transporter gene (SERT or 5-HTT), which is comprised of a short (SERT-s) and a long (SERT-l) allele, is associated with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic brain disorder. AIMS: The present study sought to determine whether the total thalamus and major subregions are altered in size in major depressive disorder and in relation to the 5HTTLPR genotype. METHOD: We investigated the influence of 5HTTLPR genotype, psychiatric diagnosis, suicide and other clinical factors on the volume of the entire post-mortem thalamus. RESULTS: Major depressive disorder, SERT-ss genotype and suicide emerged as independent factors contributing to an enlargement of the total thalamus. The majority of the volume enlargement associated with the SERT-ss genotype occurred in the pulvinar, whereas enlargement associated with major depressive disorder occurred in the limbic nuclei and in other regions of the thalamus. A history of antidepressant treatment was associated with reduced thalamic volume. CONCLUSIONS: The 5HTTLPR genetic variation may affect behaviour and psychiatric conditions, in part, by altering the anatomy of the thalamus.

Language: en