Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and sertraline response in major depression patients

Genet Test. 2008 Jun;12(2):225-31. doi: 10.1089/gte.2007.0089.

Abstract

Major depression (MD) has a complex multifactorial etiology with genetic and environmental factors contributing to the disorder. As with all antidepressant treatments, there is variability in drug response due to heredity, generally focusing on genetic polymorphism of the drug-metabolizing transporter genes. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is a particularly important candidate for genetic involvement in MD disorders owing to its key role in the regulation of serotonergic transmission and is therefore considered to be an interesting candidate in the mechanism of antidepressant drugs. In this study, we have focused on the associations between genetic polymorphisms in two regions of the 5-HTT gene (5-HTTLPR and VNTR) related to sertraline responses. Our sample consisted of 64 unrelated Turkish subjects who strictly met DSM-IV and CGI scores. There was no significant difference between the frequency of the SS, LS, LL, 9/10, 10/10, 9/12, 10/12, and 12/12 genotypes and responses to sertraline. However, the number of patients can be increased and different drugs can be studied in order to find a specific pharmacogenetic relation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minisatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Sertraline / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Sertraline