title: Promoter polymorphism of the 5-HT transporter and Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: The role of the deletion/insertion polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) is under discussion as a potential genetic risk factor for Alzheimers's disease (AD). Here we report significant differences in the allelic distribution of this polymorphism with a higher frequency of the short variant allele in AD patients when compared to controls. This difference was independent of the apolipoproteinE genotype. Thus, our study supports the notion that genetic alterations in the serontonergic neurotransmitter system may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of AD. However, given the reported negative findings, we are presently trying to identify diagnostic subgroups for which the 5-HTT promoter polymorphism represents a susceptibility locus.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Central Institute of Mental Health, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Retz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baader
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pesold
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Henn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rösler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thome
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015995:Prevalence; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins