Relation of serotonin transporter genetic variation to efficacy of escitalopram for generalized anxiety disorder in older adults.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is common in older adults and can be treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Genetic variation in the serotonin transporter gene promoter region is posited to be associated with SSRI efficacy: 2 polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR S/L and rs25531 g/a) form a haplotype with the La combination having higher transcription activity than other haplotypes. We hypothesized that GAD patients with no La haplotypes (La⁻) have lower SSRI treatment efficacy than those with 1 to 2 La haplotypes (La+).

Method

The study enrolled subjects aged 60 years or older with a principal diagnosis of GAD into a 12-week, randomized trial of escitalopram versus placebo. One hundred fifty subjects were genotyped for the serotonin transporter promote

SUBMITTER: Lenze EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3059101 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature