A pilot genetic study of the continuum between compulsivity and impulsivity in females: the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism.
According to some authors the obsessive-compulsive (OC) spectrum includes on one extreme, the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and on the other extreme the most impulsive behaviors. This is a controversial idea and other authors define the OC spectrum in different ways. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is one of the main genes that control serotonergic function. A polymorphism in the promoter area of this gene classifies subjects with low expression as S individuals (s/s or s/l) and subjects with high expression as L individuals (l/l). This polymorphism was studied in female OCD patients (n = 24), non-impulsive controls (n = 112) and impulsive suicidal patients (n = 118) to support the OC spectrum hypothesis from a genetic perspective. A linear association exists among the serotonin transporter promoter functional genotypes (S versus L individuals) (chi2 linear by linear association = 8.9; df = 1; p = 0.003). The frequency of S individuals (s/l or s/s) was lowest in OCD (54%, 13/24); intermediate in non-impulsive controls (71%, 80/112) and highest in impulsive suicide attempters (82%, 96/117). More importantly, future studies need to consider that genetics may be related to behavioral dimensions (compulsivity to impulsivity) instead of to specific psychiatric disorders defined in clinical terms.
Baca-García
Enrique
E
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.
Salgado
Beatríz Rodríguez
BR
Segal
Helen Dolengevich
HD
Lorenzo
Concepción Vaquero
CV
Acosta
Mercedes Navio
MN
Romero
Manuel Arrojo
MA
Hernández
Montserrat Díaz
MD
Saiz-Ruiz
Jeronimo
J
Fernandez Piqueras
Jose
J
de Leon
Jose
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000235:genetics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D015415:Biomarkers; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D004247:DNA