title: Gender difference in association between polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene regulatory region and anxiety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to verify the hypothesis that variation of the serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) is associated with sensitivity to stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Genotyping of 5-HTTLPR and evaluation of emotional states were performed on 194 participants. Participants' emotional states were evaluated using the Perceived-Stress Scale (PSS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant GenderxGenotype interaction in STAI (state, P<.05; trait, P<.05). Females with the l/s genotype showed higher anxiety than those with the s/s genotype in both state and trait anxiety. Oppositely, males with the s/s genotype showed higher anxiety than those with the l/s genotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On all emotional scales, females with the l/s genotype showed high scores, contrary to males with the same genotype. Therefore, our results suggest that 5-HTTLPR l allele may be one pathway that activates negative emotion in females but acts contrary in males.
authors.affiliation: Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Midori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Kumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Yasuto
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Itoyama
authors.forename: Motoyori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Utsumi
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Taisuke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiratsuka
authors.forename: Michinao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mizugaki
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hongo
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukudo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 / Q000235:genetics; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins