Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-7pwfn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-14T10:18:29.224Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Phenotypic correlates of the serotonin transporter gene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

A Finch,
K Baikie,
P Mitchell,
G Parker,
J Reddy,
PR Schofield,
T Showyin,
J Siegel,
L Wedgwood and
K Wilhelm
A Finch
Affiliation:
The Black Dog Institute
K Baikie
Affiliation:
The Black Dog InstituteSchool of Psychiatry, UNSW
P Mitchell
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, UNSW
G Parker
Affiliation:
The Black Dog InstituteSchool of Psychiatry, UNSW
J Reddy
Affiliation:
The Black Dog InstituteSchool of Psychiatry, UNSW
PR Schofield
Affiliation:
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute
T Showyin
Affiliation:
The Black Dog InstituteSchool of Psychiatry, UNSW
J Siegel
Affiliation:
The Black Dog InstituteSchool of Psychiatry, UNSW
L Wedgwood
Affiliation:
The Black Dog InstituteSchool of Psychiatry, UNSW
K Wilhelm
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, UNSWSt Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Information

Type
Abstracts from ‘Brainwaves’— The Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research Annual Meeting 2006, 6–8 December, Sydney, Australia
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , December 2006, pp. 249
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Background:

A genetic variation within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene has been found to moderate the effect of stressful life events on onset of major depression (Caspi et al. 2003; Wilhelm et al. 2006). This paper examines for observable characteristics underlying the genetic liability to depression following stressful events associated with differing 5-HTT genotypes within two study samples.

Method:

Study 1 – ‘diabetes study’. Commencing in July 2006, patients presenting to a hospital-based diabetes clinic were recruited. Participants provided data on psychiatric diagnosis, personality traits (NEO) and coping styles (COPE), as well as provided saliva samples for genetic analysis. Study 2 – ‘teachers cohort study’. Between 1978 and 1998, episodes of major depression, life events, coping behaviours and trait anxiety measures (EPQ, TCI) were recorded at 5 yearly intervals. In 2003, blood or saliva samples were collected for genetic analysis.

Results:

Associations between the 5-HTT gene and candidate phenotypes (trait anxiety and coping styles) were examined using preliminary data from the diabetes sample (anticipated n > 100). For the teachers cohort study, no associations between the 5-HTT genotype and trait anxiety were found for those who provided genetic material (n = 128). There were, however, significant differences on the coping behaviours used by differing genotype groups when under stress.

Conclusions:

These findings raise the possibility of a genetic disposition to emotional reactivity to stressors that may predispose individuals to use different coping strategies. Replication of these findings will be examined within the diabetes sample.