Association of antibody titers and 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphisms in pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococci / Asociación de títulos de anticuerpos y polimorfismos del gen 5-HTTLPR en trastornos pediátricos neuropsiquiátricos autoinmunes asociados con estreptococo

Abstract Introduction It has been hypothesized that pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) etiology results from an abnormal immune response to streptococcal infection. There is evidence that the serotonergic system is involved in both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) physiopathology and immunological processes. In the 5' promoter region of 5-HTT, gene encoding for the serotonin transporter we can find the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism that has been associated with OCD. Being PANDAS a disorder with OCD symptoms and likely immune abnormalities, 5-HTT polymorphisms may be particularly relevant for this disorder. Objective This study aimed to test the association between the 5-HT genotypes and the presence of serum antibodies in patients with PANDAS. Method We compared the genotype frequencies and serum anti-streptococcal, anti-neural, and anti-enolase antibodies titers between 56 patients with PANDAS and 20 healthy controls from Mexico and Cuba. Results Antibody titers were higher (anti-enolase, anti-streptococcal) in PANDAS patients compared to healthy controls. No differences in anti-neural antibody levels between both groups were detected. The anti-enolase and anti-neural antibody titer increased according to the polymorphism of the PANDAS patients as follows: LL >SL >SS. Discussion and conclusion This is the first study evaluating the association between the 5-HTTLPR genotypes and antibody titers in PANDAS patients. Associations between polymorphisms in serotonergic genes and immune response could provide valuable information about the interaction between both systems. Our results suggest an association between the S allele and elevated antibody levels in PANDAS patients.

Resumen Introducción Se ha hipotetizado que el trastorno pediátrico neuropsiquiátrico autoinmune asociado a estreptococo (PANDAS) es resultado de una respuesta inmune anormal a una infección estreptocócica. Existe evidencia de que el sistema serotoninérgico está involucrado tanto en la fisiopatología del trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC) como en procesos inmunológicos. En la región promotora de 5-HTT, gen que codifica el transportador de serotonina, podemos encontrar el polimorfismo 5-HTTLPR que se ha asociado con el TOC. Siendo PANDAS un trastorno con síntomas de TOC y probables anormalidades inmunes, los polimorfismos de 5-HTT pueden ser relevantes en este trastorno. Objetivo Evaluar la asociación entre los genotipos de 5-HT y la presencia de anticuerpos séricos en pacientes con PANDAS. Método Comparamos la frecuencia de genotipos de 5-HT y los títulos de anticuerpos anti-estreptococo, antineurales y antienolasa en suero de 56 pacientes con PANDAS y 20 controles sanos de México y Cuba. Resultados Los títulos de anticuerpos antienolasa y antiestreptococo fueron mayores en pacientes con PANDAS en comparación con los controles. El título de anticuerpos antienolasa y antineural aumentó de acuerdo con el polimorfismo de los pacientes con PANDAS de la siguiente manera: LL >SL >SS. Discusión y conclusión Éste es el primer estudio que evalúa la asociación entre los genotipos de 5-HTTLPR y anticuerpos en pacientes con PANDAS. Las asociaciones entre polimorfismos de genes serotoninérgicos y la respuesta inmune podrían proporcionar información sobre la interacción entre ambos sistemas. Nuestros resultados sugieren una asociación entre el alelo S y niveles altos de anticuerpos en pacientes con PANDAS.

Antidepressant effect and mechanism of imperatorin / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the antidepressant effect of imperatorin(IMP) and explore its mechanism. Methods The model of depression was established by prenatal stress (PS) on late pregnant mother, then male offspring rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, PS model, fluoxetine group(5 mg • kg"1), IMP( 15, 30 mg • kg"1). Sucrose preference test, forced swimming test, and open field test were used to evaluate the behavioral changes. 5- hydroxytryptamine ( 5-HT ) concentration, serotonin transporters(5-HTT) and 5-HT,A receptor(5-HT,AR) mRNA expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR. Results Compared with PS group, the percentage of sucrose preference and the number of total crossings, center crossings, rearing, grooming and 5-IIT concentration significantly increased in IMP group(/> <0. 01). The im-mobility time was significantly reduced in IMP group compared with PS group ( P < 0. 01). The 5-HT concentration and 5-HT1A R mRNA expressions of PS offspring rats significantly increased by the administration ofIMP (P<0.05,P<0.01). And, the increased 5- HTT mRNA markedly decreased in IMP group compared with PS group (P < 0. 05 , P < 0. 01 ). Conclusions IMP can obviously improve rat behavior and show anti-depressant effect, which may relate to the 5- HT concentration, 5-HTT and 5-HT,AR mRNA expression in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Effect of Modified Sini San on Cell Morphology and Expression of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Transporter in Hippocampal CA1 Region of Depression Rats Induced by Adolescent and Post-adult Stress / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the cell morphology and expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter(5-HTT) in hippocampal CA1 region of depression rats induced by adolescent and post-adult stress,and to observe the inter-vention effect of modified Sini San (MSS). Methods One hundred and thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,JSS group,and fluoxetine group,33 rats in each group. And then the rats in each group were randomly subdivided into adolescent group, adult group, post-adult group acaccording to the age day, 11 rats in each subgroup. Age day 44,56 and 78 were used as the sampling time points for adolescent group,adult group,post-adult group respectively. Chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)rat model was used. From day 21 to 44 and from day 57 to 78, the rats were modeled and given medication, but from day 44 to 55, the rats were fed normally. The rat general condition and body mass of various groups were observed,the cell morphology of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining , and the distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT)positive cells in CA1 region of hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Results The general condition of the rats at different age stages in the model group was poor,while that in MSS group and fluoxetine group was improved obviously. The body mass of rats at different age stages in the model group was obviously decreased (P<0.01 compared with the blank group). After adulthood stage,the body mass of rats in model group, MSS group, and fluoxetine group was lower than that of the blank group(P < 0.01), but there was no difference between the 3 groups (P > 0.05). In aspect of cell morphological manifestation in hippocampal CA1 region, rats in the adolescent model group had more deeply-staining atrophy neurons, with unclear hyperchromatic nucleus and cytoplasm. The morphological manifestations in modeled rats at adult stage and post-adulthood stage showed progressive aggravation,manifested as a large amount of neurons stained deeply with unclear nucleus and cytoplasm, and a small amount of glial cells proliferated. Compared with the model group at the same stage,the neuronal atrophy and deeply staining decreased in fluoxetine group and MSS group. The average optical density value of 5-HTT expression in the model group was decreased significantly at the adult stage and after adulthood stage(P<0.05 or P<0.01 compared with the blank group). Compared with the model group, the average optical density value of 5-HTT expression in MSS group after adulthood stage, and in the fluoxetine group at the adult stage and after adulthood stage were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Rats suffering CUMS in adolescence presents depressive behavior, and post-adult stimulation can aggravates depression. 5-HTT expression in hippocampus may be an important pathway for MSS to achieve the therapeutic efficacy.

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Synaptic Plasticity and 5-Htt Protein In Hippocampal Ca1 Region of WKY Depression Model Rats / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on depressive-like behavior, synaptic plasticity and 5-HTT protein expression of hippocampal CA1 region in the WKY model rats. Methods In this experiment, 10 male Wistar rats were selected as the normal group (Control), and 30 male WKY rats were randomly divided into model group, electroacupuncture group (EA) and sham needle group (Sham EA) . Behavioral testing was performed by the Sour Water Preference Experiment (SPT), the Open Field Experiment (OFT), and the Forced Swimming Experiment (FST) . The electrophysiological field potential experiment was used to detect the effect of electroacupuncture on LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats with depression, which is the effect on synaptic plasticity. The expression of 5-HTT protein in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by Western blot. Results In the SPT, compared to the Control group, the sucrose solution intake was significantly reduced in the Model group (P ＜ 0.01) . It was improved after EA treatment compared to Sham EA group (P ＜ 0.05) . In the OFT, compared with the Control group, the center time, total move time, center distance, total distance, rearing and grooming incidents were all decreased in the Model group. Compared with the Model group, the center time and total move time in the EA group increased significantly after 3 weeks of treatment (P ＜0.05) . In the FST, duration of immobility was significantly (P ＜ 0.05) longer in the Model group comparing with the Control group. Compared with Sham EA group and Model group, the immobile time of EA group was significantly shorter (P ＜ 0.05) . Compared with the Control group, the fEPSP slope of the Model group was significantly shorter (P ＜ 0.001) .Compared with the Sham EA group, the fEPSP slope of the EA group increased significantly (P ＜ 0.001) . And the LTP of Sham EA and Model groups induced failure in hippocampal CA1 region, the LTP induction was successful after EA treatment. Compared with the Control group, the expression of 5-HTT protein was significantly increased (P＜0.001) .Compared with Sham EA group, the expression of 5-HTT protein in EA group decreased (P ＜ 0.001) . Conclusion EA could alleviate depression-like behaviors in depression model rats and reverse the impairment of hippocampus synaptic plasticity by decrease the over-expression of 5-HTT protein in hippocampal CA1 region. It may be one of the mechanisms of EA on depression.

Effect of acupuncture treatment on gene expression of neurotransmitters of brain tissue in rats with post-stroke depression / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of acupuncture on mRNA of the neurotransmitter serotonin transporter (5-HTT), 5-HTreceptor (5-HTR), norepinephrineα2 receptor (NEαR) in brain tissue in rats with post-stroke depression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a medication group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each one. The model of post-stroke depression was established by occlusion of middle cerebral artery and chronic unpredictable mild stress method. After model was successfully established, the rats in the normal group and model group received no treatment; the rats in medication group were treated with intragastric administration of fluoxetine (2 mg/kg); the rats in acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16), "Shenmen" (HT 7) and "Taichong" (LR 3) for 20 min, during which manual stimulation was given once, once a day, 7 days as one course, and totally 3 courses were given with an interval of one day between courses. The changes of rat behavior and 5-HT, NE were observed after intervention; the RT-PCR method was applied to observe the mRNA of 5-HTT, 5-HTR, NEαR in hippocampus, raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, compared with the normal group, the Zea Longa score in the model group was increased, while sugar water consumption, the number of horizontal and vertical movement of open-field test was reduced (all<0.01); compared with the model group, the Zea Longa score in the medication group and acupuncture group was reduced, while sugar water consumption, the number of horizontal and vertical movement of open-field test were increased (<0.01,<0.05); compared between the medication group and acupuncture group, the behavior changes were not significantly different (all>0.05). After treatment, compared with the normal group, the content of 5-HT and NE in brain tissue and mRNA expression of 5-HTT, 5-HTR in hippocampus, raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus in the model group were reduced (all<0.01), but the mRNA expression of NEαR was increased (<0.01);compared with the model group, the content of 5-HT and NE in brain tissue and mRNA expression of 5-HTT, 5-HTR in hippocampus, raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus in the medication group and acupuncture group were increased (<0.01,<0.05), while the mRNA expression of NEαR was reduced (all<0.01). The differences between medication group and acupuncture group were not significantly different (all>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Acupuncture could significantly improve behavioral change in rats with post-stroke depression, which may be related to the regulation of 5-HT, NE in cerebral cortex as well as mRNA expressions of 5-HTT, 5-HTR, NEαR in hippocampus, raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus.</p>

The 5-HTT gene polymorphisms correlated with the clinical manifestations of depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To determine the potential correlation of 5-HTT gene polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR and STin2) with clinical manifestations in depression.Methods A total of 401 depressed patients,all of Chinese Han region,were collected and genotyped by polymerase chain reactions (PCR).All patients were evaluated using a 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-17) and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA),and then associated analysis was applied.Results (1) The age of onset in patients with L/S genotype of 5-HTLPR polymorphism were much younger than that of patients with L/L and S/S genotype (F=3.281,P=0.039).Besides,there was also a significant difference of HAMA1 (anxious mood) scores among patients with different genotypes for 5-HTTLPR polymorphism,where the scores of those with L/S genotype were the highest (2.34±0.80,P=0.010).(2) The scores of HAMD10 (mental anxiety),HAMA1 (anxious mood),HAMA3 (fear) and mental anxiety factor were higher in patients with 12/10 genotype than patients with 12/12 and 10/10 genotype for STin2 polymorphism (2.40±0.83,2.38±0.90,1.42± 1.04,14.60±4.26 respectively;P value:0.014,0.044,0.03 and 0.006 respectively).The scores of HAMD10(mental anxiety) and mental anxiety factor were (2.11±0.77),(12.96±3.78) in the 12/12 genotype patients,and significantly lower than that in the 12/10 genotype patients (adjustedPvalue:0.018,0.006).Conclusions A positive association of the 5-HTT polymorphisms with anxious symptoms in depressed patients is revealed.These findings might provide some evidences for the clinical phenotype and optimization of depression treatment.

Research on effect of central 5-HTergic system in early-onset depression / 中国药理学通报

Nowadays the pathogenesis of early-onset depression is still uncertain. Only SSRIs are currently approved for clinical use as antidepressants in children and adolescents, indicating that 5-HT is the most important neurotransmitter involved in the dis-ease. Current studies with regard to central 5-HTergic system in early-onset depression mainly focus on 5-HT synthesis deficien-cy, 5-HT transportation dysregulation, as well as the earlier mat-uration of 5-HT system than norepinephrine system. 5-HT precur-sor tryptophan malabsorption and dysregulation of 5-HT synthesis can contribute to 5-HT deficiency. Moreover, the 5-HTTLPR low-expressing genotypes may increase the risk of early-onset de-pression. It is necessary to make preclinical and clinical studies more widely and deeply about the effect of central 5-HTergic sys-tem in early-onset depression in future.

Improving oxidative stress response and reversing abnormal expression of hippocampus NET and 5-HTT involved in anti-depressive effect of venlafaxine / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate if anti-depressive effect of venlafaxine was associated with improving oxi-dative stress and expression of hippocampus NET and 5-HTT in rat model induced by CUS. MethodsEighty SD male rats were randomly divided into four groups:model group(MG),normal group(NG), ven-lafaxine-treated normal group ( VNG ) , and venlafax-ine-treated model group ( VMG) . VNG and VMG were given venlafaxine (23. 4 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ) once daily;NG and MG were given the same volume solvent. Soli-tary condition with chronic unpredicted stress ( CUS ) was taken to establish rat depression model. The force swimming test was used to evaluate the behavior chan-ges of experimental rats. The malondialdehyde ( MDA) level and activity of superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) in serum were determined by biochemical methods. The mRNA and protein expressions of NET and 5-HTT in hippocampus were determined by Real-Time Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( real-time RT-PCR) and Western blot ( WB) , respectively. Results Compared with NG rats, obviously increasing immo-bile time of rats in force swimming test and serum MDA level, as well as significantly decreasing SOD activity in serum was observed with clearly decreasing 5-HTT expression and elevating NET expression in hippocam-pus of MG rats. The treatment of venlafaxine distinctly suppressed changes above from CUS-induced rats. However, significant changes failed to be found in VNG rats. Conclusion The anti-depressive effect of venlafaxine may at least partly involve in improving ox-idative stress/anti-oxidative stress balance and revers-ing abnormal expression of NET and 5-HTT.

Estudio preliminar de la expresión del mensaje genético del transportador de serotonina en células mononucleares de sangre periférica en pacientes con dependencia al alcohol con y sin depresión mayor comórbida / Preliminary study of the genetic message expression of serotonin transporter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with alcohol dependence with and without comorbid major depression

The 2008 National Addiction Survey demonstrated the existence of 39 million alcohol drinkers, of whom 4.2 million are excessive drinkers and 4.8 million are alcohol dependents. No reports of the comorbidity of psychiatric disorders in alcohol consumers in our country exist. Nevertheless, 40% to 50% of alcohol-dependent patients from other countries have some sort of psychiatric disorder, such as major depression. Serotonergic function is a key mediator of mood states, impulsiveness, and addictive behavior, including alcohol consumption. Several studies have noted alterations in the serotonergic system in alcoholics (as demonstrated by an increase in the shooting frequency of raphe nuclei serotonergic neurons, an increase in serotonin levels in the accumbens nuclei, and a loss in serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei) and depressed patients (decreases in the density of serotonin reuptake transporter [5-HTT] and serotonin levels [5-HT]). Clinical studies have documented that excessive alcohol intake reduces 5-HT levels and that this condition potentiates psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, major depression, and alcohol dependence. These data demonstrate an association between alcoholism, psychiatric disorders, and alcohol dependence. By molecular biology techniques, genetic risk factors have been identified and candidate genes, such as 5-HTT, have been selected. This gene is associated with a greater susceptibility to onset of alcohol-dependence and major depression. The 5-HTT gene lies in the SLC6A4 locus of 1 7q1 1.1-q12 and encodes a 600-amino-acid integral membrane protein. This transporter regulates serotonergic neurotransmission through removal of 5-HT from the synaptic space. Pharmacological research has shown that selective reuptake inhibitors (5-HTT blockers) reduce alcohol intake in alcohol-dependent and major depression patients. Serotonergic system receptors, such as 5-HTT, 5-HT1, and 5-HT2, are expressed in nervous system and immune system cells; thus it is likely that both systems have functional similarities. Due to this property, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) can be used to research neurodegenerative, psychiatric, and alcohol dependence disorders. The aim of this study was to assess 5-HTT expression levels in the PBMCs from alcohol-dependent patients and patients with comorbid alcohol-dependence and major depression disorder. Materials and methods The Outpatient Consultative Service from the Centro de Ayuda a Alcohólicos y Familiares (CAAF) and the Centro de Alcohólicos y Drogadictos <

La Encuesta Nacional de Adicciones 2008 reportó que en México existen 39 millones de personas que consumen alcohol y 4.8 millones presentan dependencia. A nivel mundial varios estudios indican que los pacientes con dependencia al alcohol (40 a 50%) presentan comorbilidad con algún tipo de padecimiento psiquiátrico. La función serotoninérgica es un mediador clave en los estados de ánimo, la impulsividad y las conductas adictivas, entre ellas el consumo de alcohol. Se ha reportado que el consumo excesivo de alcohol etílico disminuye los niveles de serotonina, aumenta la frecuencia de disparo de las neuronas serotoninérgicas en el núcleo del rafé y aumenta los niveles de serotonina en el núcleo accumbens. Las técnicas de biología molecular han permitido identificar factores de riesgo genético y se han seleccionado genes candidatos del sistema serotoninérgico, siendo uno de ellos el gen para el transportador de serotonina (5-HTT), el cual se ha demostrado que se encuentra asociado tanto a una mayor susceptibilidad para el establecimiento de la dependencia al alcohol como a la depresión mayor. Los receptores del sistema serotoninérgico como el 5-HTT, el 5-HT1 y el 5-HT2 se expresan tanto en las células del Sistema Nervioso como en las células del sistema inmunológico, lo que sugiere una similitud funcional de ambos sistemas. Es por ello que las células mononucleares de sangre periférica (PBMC) han sido utilizadas como un modelo de estudio en los trastornos de dependencia al alcohol y en los psiquiátricos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los niveles de expresión del gen 5-HTT en células mononucleares de sangre periférica de pacientes con dependencia al alcohol con y sin depresión mayor comórbida. En el Servicio de Consulta Externa del Centro de Ayuda a Alcohólicos y Familiares (CAAF) y en el Centro de Alcohólicos y Drogadictos <

Meta-analysis on the relationship between 5-HTT gene polymorphism and depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To assess the associations of 5-HTT gene polymorphism with depression by Metaanalysis.Method A comprehensive search for articles from January 2000 to July 2009 was conducted from Chinese BioMedical Literature Database on disc (CBMdisc) and PubMed databases.All related case-control studies were collected and the results were analyzed using RevMan 4.2.2 software.Results A total of 1284 cases and 1243 controls were collected from 14 studies.The combined data statistics revealed that the pooled ORs ( 95%CI) for genotype SS,SL,LL were 1.64 ( 1.37 ～1.97) (P＜0.00001),0.82 (0.66 ～ 1.03) (P＞0.01) and 0.74 (0.61 ～ 0.90) (P ＜ 0.01 ) respectively.Conclusions Polymorphisms of 5-HTT gene have significant association with depression,SS genotype may increase the risk for depression,LL genotype may be protective factors for depression.

Association of serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a south Indian population.

Background and Objectives: Serotonin transporter polymorphisms, 5-HTTVNTR and 5-HTTLPR, have been found to be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and particularly with neurotic characteristics. In the present study we looked for an association between OCD and these polymorphisms in OCD patients and controls of south Indian origin. Methods: 5-HTTVNTR and 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 were genotyped in 93 OCD patients and 92 healthy controls. The allelic distribution and genotype frequency in cases and controls were compared using chi square test. In order to test for the effects of genotype on heterogeneity of the illness, linear regression analysis was undertaken for co-morbid depression status and YBOCS score (severity index). Results: There was no significant association with the 5-HTTVNTR or the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. No significant association of OCD with the 5-HTTLPR genotype was found even on inclusion of the rs25531 locus, which is part of the transcription factor binding site as reported in earlier studies. However, severity of the illness showed a modest association with the dominant model. Interpretation & conclusions: Our data show that genetic variation in the SLC6A4 gene regulatory region may not have a significant effect on OCD in the present population. Further replication in a large and independent cohort with an equal number of female subjects would help to ascertain if the absence of association in this cohort is due to the nullifying effect of the larger proportion of male subjects in our sample population. The marginal effect of the 5-HTTLPR (A/G) genotype obtained on linear regression with disease severity is suggestive of a potential role for this locus in the disease process.

Association study of 5-HTT gene polymorphism with fear during childbirth / 대한산부인과학회지

The fear and anxiety in the biological processes of childbirth have been of clinical interest, but the studies addressing this subject are rare, particularly where the outcome of the pregnancy has been favourable. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms were studied for understanding the fear during childbirth in 534 Korean pregnant women. The frequencies of each SNP were 5-HTT -15375 insdel (44 bp) 0.24, -1002A>C 0.10, -922A>C 0.11, +18784A>C 0.073 in Korean pregnant women (n=534). No polymorphisms was found in 5-HTT +3746G>C The relationship between the fear during childbirth and genetic polymorphisms was investigated by multiple regression analysis adjusting for parity in 293 women who gave birth to a child vaginally and made a reply to Delivery Fear Scale (DFS) which was the measuring instrument for the fear during childbirth among 534 Korean pregnant women. There was no genetic association between the 5-HTT gene polymorphism and fear during childbirth. The results of this study show that the psychological, social, environmental factors play the major role in the fear during childbirth whereas this gene (5-HTT) most likely has only a minor effect in its etiology. And other genes and the interactions between them have been thought to make complex effects. In order to identify the fear during childbirth, further studies will have to be focused on the comprehensive research of the social, psychological, environmental factors and the interaction of the connected genes.

Association between Social Phobia and Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism: Preliminary Study

ele frequency analysis, a significant association was also observed between the short allele and social phobia(p=.030). A significant associations between S genotype and each subgroup were observed(GEN p=.045 ; NGEN p=.033), but there were no differences in allele frequency. And, no differences in genotype and allele distribution between two subgroups were found. CONCLUSION: The results in our Korean sample suggest that S genotype of 5-HTTLPR may be associated with social phobia and s allele may be an important genetic factor that activates social phobic symptoms. But, further studies including large number of samples are necessary to elucidate these present findings.

An analysis on the relationship between polymrhism of intron 2 in serotonin transporter and polymrhism of serotonin transporter gene and attempted suicide / 重庆医科大学学报

Objective:To explore the association between attempted suicide and polymrhism of intron 2 in serotonin transporter and polymrhism of serotonin transporter(5-HTTLPR).Methods:Using the technique of polymerase chain reaction(PCR),the variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism(5-HTTVNTR)and 5-HTTLPR was determined in 71 patients with attempted suicide subjects and 80 control subjects.The allelic and genetypes distributions in two groups were compared.Results:There were no significant differences in intron 2-VNTR genotype and allele frequency distributions between attempted suicide and healthy control subjects(?2= 1.08,P=0.58;?2=0.99,P=0.32).The frequencies of allele S were significantly higher in suicides attempted suicide patients with psychiatric disorder(85.1%)than in normal controls(72.5%)and suicides without psychiatric disorde(r69.1%)(?2=4.49,P=0.04;?2=5.21,P=0.03).Conclusion:The results suggested that the polymrhism of intron 2 of 5-HTT gene no associated with attempted suicide in the Han nationality.But the presence of 5-HTTLPR alleles S may increase the risk for attempted suicide.