Mood changes after delivery: role of the serotonin transporter gene.
BACKGROUND
Polymorphic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) moderate the depressogenic effects of tryptophan depletion. After childbirth there is a sharp reduction in brain tryptophan availability, thus polymorphic variations in 5-HTT may play a similar role in the post-partum period.


OBJECTIVE
To study the role of 5-HTT polymorphic variations in mood changes after delivery.


METHODS
One thousand, eight hundred and four depression-free Spanish women were studied post-partum. We evaluated depressive symptoms at 2-3 days, 8 weeks and 32 weeks post-partum. We used diagnostic interview to confirm major depression for all probable cases. Based on two polymorphisms of 5-HTT (5-HTTLPR and STin2 VNTR), three genotype combinations were created to reflect different levels of 5-HTT expression.


RESULTS
One hundred and seventy-three women (12.7%) experienced major depression during the 32-week post-partum period. Depressive symptoms were associated with the high-expression 5-HTT genotypes in a dose-response fashion at 8 weeks post-partum, but not at 32 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
High-expression 5-HTT genotypes may render women more vulnerable to depressive symptoms after childbirth.
Sanjuan
J
J
Hospital Clínico, UV, CIBER Enfermedades Mentales,Valencia, Spain. julio.sanjuan@uv.es
Martin-Santos
R
R
Garcia-Esteve
L
L
Carot
J M
JM
Guillamat
R
R
Gutierrez-Zotes
A
A
Gornemann
I
I
Canellas
F
F
Baca-Garcia
E
E
Jover
M
M
Navines
R
R
Valles
V
V
Vilella
E
E
de Diego
Y
Y
Castro
J A
JA
Ivorra
J L
JL
Gelabert
E
E
Guitart
M
M
Labad
A
A
Mayoral
F
F
Roca
M
M
Gratacos
M
M
Costas
J
J
van Os
J
J
de Frutos
R
R
D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013030:Spain; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000172:deficiency*
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D014364:Tryptophan