Lack of association between the 5-HTTLPR and positive screening for mental disorders among children exposed to urban violence and maltreatment
Braz. J. Psychiatry (São Paulo, 1999, Impr.)
;
36(4): 277-284, Oct-Dec/2014. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-730596
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To ascertain whether genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR 44-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism) influence an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to high levels of violence.Methods:
Saliva samples were collected from a group of children who were working on the streets and from their siblings who did not work on the streets. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples and analyzed for 5-HTTLPR polymorphism genotypes.Results:
One hundred and seventy-seven children between the ages of 7 and 14 years were analyzed (114 child workers and 63 siblings). Data on socioeconomic conditions, mental symptoms, and presence and severity of maltreatment and urban violence were collected using a sociodemographic inventory and clinical instruments. There was no positive correlation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and presence of mental symptoms in our sample, although the children were exposed to high levels of abuse, neglect, and urban violence.Conclusions:
Despite previous studies that associated adult psychiatric disorders with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and a history of childhood maltreatment, no such association was found in this sample of children at risk. .
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Anxiety Disorders
/
Child Abuse
/
Depressive Disorder
/
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Etiology study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Screening study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. J. Psychiatry (São Paulo, 1999, Impr.)
Journal subject:
Psychiatry
Year:
2014
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)/BR
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