Serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and diurnal cortisol: A sex by genotype interaction

Biological Psychology
Matthis WankerlChristian Otte

Abstract

In interaction with stressful life events, the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with depression. In response to stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated. HPA activity is often increased in depression. Thus, one potential mechanism by which 5-HTTLPR might increase risk for depression is by its impact on HPA activity. We examined the effects of 5-HTTLPR on diurnal saliva cortisol secretion (0800 h, 1200 h, 1600 h, 2200 h) in 130 healthy adults (66 men, 64 women) equally distributed across four age groups (30-70 years) using the tri-allelic classification [high-expressing (LA/LA), intermediate-expressing (LG/LA, LA/S), low-expressing (S/S, S/LG)]. We found a significant sex by 5-HTTLPR interaction on cortisol secretion. In men, higher cortisol levels were associated with lower transcriptional activity of 5-HTTLPR, whereas no such trend was observed in women. Our results suggest that men and women differ in serotonergic mediation of HPA-axis activity. This might contribute to sex-specific risk for depression.

References

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Citations

Dec 18, 2012·Women's Health·Elise Hall, Meir Steiner
Sep 11, 2012·Issues in Mental Health Nursing·Jeanne Watson Driscoll
Nov 1, 2015·Journal of Affective Disorders·F GressierA Serretti
Jan 14, 2012·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics : the Official Publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics·Guo-Lin Chen, Gregory M Miller
Oct 1, 2013·The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry : the Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry·Lauren D GarfieldEric J Lenze
Nov 1, 2011·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Thibault RenoirLaurence Lanfumey
Jun 22, 2012·The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology·Eric J LenzeMeryl A Butters

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