© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Life events, first depression onset and the serotonin transporter gene
School of Psychiatry and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney
School of Psychiatry and Mood Disorders Unit, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
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.
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.
Related articles in BJP:
- Stressful life events, 5-HTT genotype and risk of depression
- STANLEY ZAMMIT and MICHAEL J. OWEN
BJP 2006 188: 199-201.[Abstract] [Full Text] - Highlights of this issue
- SUKHWINDER S. SHERGILL
BJP 2006 188: 199-a9.[Full Text] - PETER TYRER
BJP 2006 188: 300.[Full Text]
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K. Pinna, J. K. Cremeans-Smith, K. Greene, and D. L. Delahanty The Impact of Gender and Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Activity on Depressive Symptoms Following Surgical Stress J Health Psychol, November 1, 2009; 14(8): 1095 - 1104. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. M. Goodyer, A. Bacon, M. Ban, T. Croudace, and J. Herbert Serotonin transporter genotype, morning cortisol and subsequent depression in adolescents The British Journal of Psychiatry, July 1, 2009; 195(1): 39 - 45. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Risch, R. Herrell, T. Lehner, K.-Y. Liang, L. Eaves, J. Hoh, A. Griem, M. Kovacs, J. Ott, and K. R. Merikangas Interaction Between the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR), Stressful Life Events, and Risk of Depression: A Meta-analysis JAMA, June 17, 2009; 301(23): 2462 - 2471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Wilhelm, B. Meiser, P. B. Mitchell, A. W. Finch, J. E. Siegel, G. Parker, and P. R. Schofield Issues concerning feedback about genetic testing and risk of depression The British Journal of Psychiatry, May 1, 2009; 194(5): 404 - 410. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Sanjuan, R. Martin-Santos, L. Garcia-Esteve, J. M. Carot, R. Guillamat, A. Gutierrez-Zotes, I. Gornemann, F. Canellas, E. Baca-Garcia, M. Jover, et al. Mood changes after delivery: role of the serotonin transporter gene The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2008; 193(5): 383 - 388. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Praschak-Rieder, M. Willeit, A. A. Wilson, S. Houle, and J. H. Meyer Seasonal Variation in Human Brain Serotonin Transporter Binding Arch Gen Psychiatry, September 1, 2008; 65(9): 1072 - 1078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. G. Bradley, E. B. Binder, M. P. Epstein, Y. Tang, H. P. Nair, W. Liu, C. F. Gillespie, T. Berg, M. Evces, D. J. Newport, et al. Influence of Child Abuse on Adult Depression: Moderation by the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Gene Arch Gen Psychiatry, February 1, 2008; 65(2): 190 - 200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Bibliography for Major Depressive Disorder and Suicide Focus, January 1, 2008; 6(1): 58 - 62. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Tyrer From the Editor's desk The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2007; 191(6): 578 - 578. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. G. Kilpatrick, K. C. Koenen, K. J. Ruggiero, R. Acierno, S. Galea, H. S. Resnick, J. Roitzsch, J. Boyle, and J. Gelernter The Serotonin Transporter Genotype and Social Support and Moderation of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Hurricane-Exposed Adults Am J Psychiatry, November 1, 2007; 164(11): 1693 - 1699. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Otte, J. McCaffery, S. Ali, and M. A. Whooley Association of a Serotonin Transporter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) With Depression, Perceived Stress, and Norepinephrine in Patients With Coronary Disease: The Heart and Soul Study Am J Psychiatry, September 1, 2007; 164(9): 1379 - 1384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Wilhelm, J. E. Siegel, A. W. Finch, D. Hadzi-Pavlovic, P. B. Mitchell, G. Parker, and P. R. Schofield The Long and the Short of It: Associations Between 5-HTT Genotypes and Coping With Stress Psychosom Med, September 1, 2007; 69(7): 614 - 620. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Parker Is depression overdiagnosed? Yes BMJ, August 18, 2007; 335(7615): 328 - 328. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Crandall Suicide: scientific overview and relevance for trauma care providers Trauma, July 1, 2007; 9(3): 213 - 220. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Firk and C. R. Markus Review: Serotonin by stress interaction: a susceptibility factor for the development of depression? J Psychopharmacol, July 1, 2007; 21(5): 538 - 544. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Tyrer The British Journal of Psychiatry, February 1, 2007; 190(2): 188 - 188. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. A. Mrazek Psychiatric Pharmacogenomics Focus, August 1, 2006; 4(3): 339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. ZAMMIT and M. J. OWEN Stressful life events, 5-HTT genotype and risk of depression The British Journal of Psychiatry, March 1, 2006; 188(3): 199 - 201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|