Interaction of chronic stress with serotonin transporter and catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms in predicting youth depression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Investigations of gene-environment interaction (GxE) in depression have implicated a polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) as a moderator of the stress-depression relationship. However, recent evidence for 5-HTTLPR GxE in depression has been inconsistent. This study examined the moderating effect of the val158met polymorphism in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene on the strength of 5-HTTLPR GxE.

Methods

A community sample of youth (n=384) was genotyped for 5-HTTLPR and COMT. A multi-method, multi-informant index of chronic family stress was derived from interviews and questionnaires administered at youth age 15. GxGxE was examined in relation to depression diagnoses between ages 15 and 20 and depressive symptoms

SUBMITTER: Conway CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2918677 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature