Prophylactic effect of lithium in bipolar affective illness may be related to serotonin transporter genotype.
Serotonin transporter promoter length polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mood disorders and in the therapeutic response to serotonergic drugs. In this study, the 5-HTTLPR was estimated in 67 patients with bipolar mood disorder, receiving lithium carbonate for prophylactic purposes for the period of more than 5 years (mean 15 years). The patients were divided into excellent responders (n = 18), partial responders (n = 35) and poor responders (n = 14). In lithium non-responders, the genotype s/s and the allele s was significantly more frequent than in excellent and partial responders. The obtained results are discussed in view of other studies showing an association of S genotype with worse response to serotonergic drugs. A supposition is made that prophylactic management of bipolar illness can be optimized by defining 5-HTTLPR genotype.
Rybakowski
Janusz K
JK
Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland. rybakows@wlkp.top.pl
Suwalska
Aleksandra
A
Czerski
Piotr M
PM
Dmitrzak-Weglarz
Monika
M
Leszczynska-Rodziewicz
Anna
A
Hauser
Joanna
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D016651:Lithium Carbonate