Influence of serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region polymorphism on platelet activation in geriatric depression.
OBJECTIVE
Depression has been associated with increased platelet activation. Variations in the serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism may influence the degree of activation. The authors examined the association among depression, platelet activation, and 5-HTTLPR genotype.


METHODS
Elderly subjects with (N=61) and without (N=12) major depression were assessed for cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, and two indices of platelet activation. The depressed subjects were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism.


RESULTS
The depressed subjects were older, were more cognitively impaired, and had higher platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin levels; cardiovascular disease was minimal in both groups. In the depressed group, subjects with the 5-HTTLPR l/l genotype had significantly higher platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Platelet activation is increased in elderly depressed patients, especially those with the 5-HTTLPR l/l genotype. This finding suggests how genetic differences may influence cardiovascular mortality in depressed patients with ischemic heart disease.
Whyte
E M
EM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA. whyteem@msx.upmc.edu
Pollock
B G
BG
Wagner
W R
WR
Mulsant
B H
BH
Ferrell
R E
RE
Mazumdar
S
S
Reynolds
C F
CF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000235:genetics*; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4