High anxiety and migraine are associated with the s allele of the 5HTTLPR gene polymorphism.
The 5HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene has been associated with anxiety disorders and also migraine, suggesting a common etiological background of these disorders. This association is further supported by the high comorbidity of these disorders. In our study Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the 5HTTLPR genotype were investigated in a cohort of 97 psychiatrically healthy females also including 45 migraineurs. Higher state anxiety scores were significantly associated with the s allele either in the whole sample or when the group was separated into migraineurs and non-migraineurs. Migraineurs also had a significantly higher frequency of the s allele. Our results indicate that even in a healthy population the s allele is associated with a high anxiety endophenotype. The association of migraine with anxiety may be explained by the higher rate of individuals carrying the s allele among migraineurs.
Gonda
Xenia
X
Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Experimental Medicine, National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Huvosvolgyi ut 116, H-1021 Budapest, Hungary.
Rihmer
Zoltan
Z
Juhasz
Gabriella
G
Zsombok
Terezia
T
Bagdy
Gyorgy
G
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D017931:DNA Primers; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins