Background
Mixed evidence has suggested that homozygous carriers of the short allele (s/s) of
the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may be at increased
risk for depression, if they have also been exposed to early or current adversity/stress.
We address this debate by examining the relation of a stressful early family environment,
recent adversity/stress, and the 5-HTTLPR to depressive symptomatology in a normal
sample.
Methods
A nonclinical sample of 118 young adult men and women completed assessments of early
family environment, recent stressful events, psychosocial resources, and psychological
distress, including depressive symptomatology. The 5-HTTLPR was genotyped using a
standard protocol with DNA extracted from oral fluid.
Results
A stressful early family environment was significantly related to depressive symptomatology.
In addition, gene-by-environment (G×E) interactions were observed between the 5-HTTLPR
and both early family environment and current adversity/stress. Individuals homozygous
for the short allele had greater depressive symptomatology if they had experienced
early or recent adversity but significantly less depressive symptomatology if they
reported a supportive early environment or recent positive experiences, compared with
participants with the s/l or l/l genotype.
Conclusions
Early or current environment, in conjunction with the serotonin transporter polymorphism,
predicts depressive symptomatology.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 25, 2006
Accepted:
April 25,
2006
Received in revised form:
April 24,
2006
Received:
January 4,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
