Serotonin transporter and BDNF polymorphisms interact to predict trait worry.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Excessive worry is associated with a range of psychological disorders. While previous studies have examined genes associated with a range of different anxiety phenotypes, none have explored genes specifically associated with the general tendency to worry.

Design

The present study tested associations between trait worry and functional polymorphisms of three candidate genes: the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) of the SLC6A4 gene, the Val66Met region of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, and the Val158Met region of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene.

Methods

A heterogeneous sample of adult participants (n=173) completed the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and provided DNA samples for gen

SUBMITTER: Bredemeier K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4156552 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature