title: The 5HTTLPR polymorphism, psychopathologic symptoms, and platelet [3H-] paroxetine binding in bulimic syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A short (s) allele in the promoter region of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) transporter gene (5HTTLPR) has been associated with low transcription of the 5-HT transporter protein, and with clinical manifestations including impulsivity, affective disorder, and bulimia nervosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied implications of the 5HTTLPR s allele for eating symptoms, psychopathologic traits, and platelet [3H-] paroxetine binding in 59 women with bulimia spectrum syndromes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with those without it, carriers of the s allele of 5HTTLPR showed significantly more affective instability, behavioral impulsivity, interpersonal insecurity, comorbid borderline personality disorder (BPD), and lower density (Bmax) of paroxetine-binding sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that proneness to impulsivity, affective dysregulation, and reduced central 5-HT reuptake may (in part) be codetermined by the 5HTTLPR polymorphism. However, given inconsistent 5HTTLPR expression in different populations, we speculate that we may be observing a phenotype (i.e., eating disorder)-dependent manifestation.
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorders Program, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steiger
authors.forename: Ridha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Joober
authors.forename: Mimi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Israël
authors.forename: Simon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Ng Mien Kwong
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ng Ying Kin
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gauvin
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Jasmine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joncas
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torkaman-Zehi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D002032:Bulimia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000378:metabolism*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017374:Paroxetine; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human