title: Serotonin transporter genotype, morning cortisol and subsequent depression in adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The short (s) allele of the serotonin transporter gene promoter (5-HTTLPR) may be associated with exposure to social adversities and the subsequent onset of depressive illness in adulthood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test in adolescents at high risk for depression whether the short 's' allele is associated with levels of morning cortisol and the subsequent onset of a depressive episode.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-risk adolescents (n = 403) were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR. Salivary samples were obtained on four consecutive school days within 1 h of waking from 393 (97.5%) individuals and 367 (91%) underwent a mental state reassessment at 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multilevel analysis revealed higher levels of salivary cortisol in short allele carriers (s/s>s/l>l/l). A subsequent episode of depression was increased in those with higher cortisol and the 's' allele, and independently by depressive symptoms at entry, in both genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The short allele of 5-HTTLPR may moderate the association between morning cortisol and the subsequent onset of a depressive episode.
authors: Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK. ig104@cam.ac.uk
authors: Ian M
authors: IM
authors: Goodyer
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Bacon
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Ban
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Croudace
authors: Joe
authors: J
authors: Herbert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D011599:Psychopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D006854:Hydrocortisone