Interaction between a serotonin transporter gene promoter region polymorphism and stress predicts depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents: a multi-wave longitudinal study

BMC Psychiatry

Shu-qiao Yao²  Jin-yao Yi¹  Xiong-zhao Zhu¹  Lin Cai¹  Yu-ping Wang¹  Meng-cheng Wang¹  Chan-juan Hou¹  Hai-yan Chen¹  Qiao-lian Chai¹  Yun Zhang¹  Qing-sen Ming¹ 

[1]Medical Psychological Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China

[2]Hunan Province Technology, Institute of Psychiatry, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, P.R. China

关键词: China;    Adolescent;    Serotonin transporter;    Depressive symptom;   

Others  :  1124051
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-244X-13-142

 received in 2013-02-25, accepted in 2013-05-14,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene may play an important role in the onset and development of mental disorders. Past studies have tested whether a functional polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) moderated the association between stress and depressive symptoms, but the results of these studies were inconsistent. Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and stress that predict depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents.

Methods

A total of 252 healthy adolescents (131 females and 121 males, aged from 14 to 18, mean = 16.00, standard deviation = 0.60) participated in this study. During the initial assessment, all participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Adolescent Life Events Questionnaire (ALEQ) and were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Participants subsequently completed CES-D and ALEQ once every three months during the subsequent 24 months. A multilevel model was used to investigate the 5-HTTLPR × stress interaction in predicting depressive symptoms.

Results

The results indicated no main effect of 5-HTTLPR and a significant 5-HTTLPR × stress interaction in females only. Females with at least one 5-HTTLPR S allele exhibited more depressive symptoms under stressful situations. No significant 5-HTTLPR × stress interaction was found in males.

Conclusions

In Chinese adolescents, there are gender differences on the interaction between 5-HTTLPR and stress that predict depressive symptoms. The association between stress and depressive symptoms is moderated by 5-HTTLPR in Chinese female adolescents.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Ming et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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