Decreased recognition of negative affect after selective serotonin reuptake inhibition is dependent on genotype.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to influence the information processing of emotional material in depressed patients and healthy controls. The functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) has been shown to interact with the effectiveness of serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is not known whether 5-HTTLPR has an influence on emotional processing in healthy controls. We report first data with long-term SSRI administration after genetic characterization of 5-HTTLPR in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. In 30 healthy controls, 15 homozygous for the long and 15 for the short allele of 5-HTTLPR, emotionally valent images were used to elicit positive or negative emotions. We found a diminished perception of sad and fearful information under SSRI which was significant in the long allele group. These findings emphasize the importance of genetic variance in emotion processing research.
Hinkelmann
Kim
K
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Dragoi
Laura
L
Gompf
Julia
J
Muhtz
Christoph
C
Demiralay
Cüneyt
C
Yassouridis
Alexander
A
Wiedemann
Klaus
K
Kellner
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors