The serotonin transporter length polymorphism, neuroticism, and depression: a comprehensive assessment of association.
BACKGROUND
A promoter-based length polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) of the human serotonin gene (SLC6A4) has exhibited inconsistent association with emotionality phenotypes, such as major depression (MD) and the personality trait neuroticism (N). Several explanations have been posited to account for this discrepancy, including underpowered experimental design and variation in gender ratio, age, and ethnicity.


METHODS
Here, we describe three independent tests of association between the 5-HTTLPR locus and both N and MD in samples selected for extremeness of N-score from two homogenous populations (n = 88,142, and 20,921). Calculations of statistical power indicated that at a 5% alpha level, these samples retain 100% power to detect a genetic effect accounting for just .5% of phenotypic variance. Effects of age were regressed out of the phenotypic measure, and gender was included as a covariate.


RESULTS
No statistically significant effects of genotype could be identified on either N or MD phenotypes (in all cases, p > or = .26), independently of the genetic mode of action applied.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data do not support the hypothesis that the 5-HTTLPR variant contributes significantly toward human emotionality as indexed by either the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire N scale or the DSM-IV for MD.
Willis-Owen
Saffron A G
SA
Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. saffron.willis-owen@well.ox.ac.uk
Turri
Maria G
MG
Munafò
Marcus R
MR
Surtees
Paul G
PG
Wainwright
Nick W J
NW
Brixey
Richard D
RD
Flint
Jonathan
J
D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000235:genetics*; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins