Serotonin transporter genotype, morning cortisol and subsequent depression in adolescents.
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.
Goodyer
Ian M
IM
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK. ig104@cam.ac.uk
Bacon
Alison
A
Ban
Maria
M
Croudace
Tim
T
Herbert
Joe
J
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
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D006854:Hydrocortisone