The British Journal of Psychiatry (2006) 188: 210-215. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.009522
© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Life events, first depression onset and the serotonin transporter gene{dagger}

KAY WILHELM, MD, FRANZCP, PHILIP B. MITCHELL, MD, FRANZCP, FRCPsych, HEATHER NIVEN, BSc (Psych), ADAM FINCH, BSc, Grad DipSc (Psych) and LUCINDA WEDGWOOD, BSc (Psych)

School of Psychiatry and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney

ANNA SCIMONE, BSc and IAN P. BLAIR, PhD

Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney

GORDON PARKER, MD, DSc, PhD, FRANZCP

School of Psychiatry and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney

PETER R. SCHOFIELD, BSc Agr, PhD, DSc

Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney and Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Correspondence: Associate Professor Kay Wilhelm, Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Level 4, DeLacy Building, St Vincent’s Hospital, Victoria Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia. Tel:+61 28 3823433; fax: +61 28 382 3479, e-mail: kwilhelm{at}stvincents.com.au

Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.

{dagger} See editorial, pp. 199–201, this issue.

Background A relationship between the serotonin transporter gene, adverse events and onset of major depression has been reported.

Aims To replicate a gene x environment interaction in a cohort with longitudinal data for life events, experience of depression, parental bonding and neuroticism.

Method At the 25-year follow-up, genomic DNA was obtained from 127 cohort members (mean age 48 years) to determine the genotype of the serotonin transporter gene-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR). Associations were investigated between the 5-HTTLPR genotype, positive and adverse life events and the gene x environment interaction, and also between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and risk factors for depression.

Results No relationship was found between 5-HTTLPR genotype and either risk factors for depression or positive life events. Adverse life events had a significantly greater impact on the onset of depression for individuals with the s/s genotype.

Conclusions The 5-HTTLPR genotype is a significant predictor of onset of major depression following multiple adverse events. This is one of the more robust findings concerning specific biological risk factors for depression.


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