Exploring the association between serotonin transporter promoter region methylation levels and depressive symptoms: a systematic review and multi-level meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Depressive disorders result from complex interactions among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mechanism, is crucial in understanding depressive symptoms development. The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) and its polymorphisms, like 5-HTTLPR, have been extensively studied in relation to depression, yet conflicting findings regarding the association between 5-HTT promoter methylation and depressive symptoms persist, largely due to methodological differences. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess (1) 5-HTT promoter methylation levels between depressed and non-depressed conditions and (2) the association between 5-HTT methylation and depressive symptoms severity. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from

SUBMITTER: Javelle F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12049537 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature