title: Genetic polymorphisms in the serotonergic system and symptom clusters of major depressive disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been suggested that the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) are composed of some clusters, which are linked to distinct genetic mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of genetic polymorphisms in the serotonergic system with three factors of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), i.e., dysphoria, retardation, and vegetative symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 132 Japanese patients of MDD. The genotypes of tryptophan hydroxylase 218A/C, serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR), and 5HT2A receptor -1438G/A polymorphisms were determined by PCR methods. Statistical analyses were performed by the multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The A allele of 5HT2A polymorphism was associated with higher vegetative scores (p=0.001) and total MADRS scores (p=0.005), while the S allele of 5HTTLPR was related to higher dysphoric scores (p=0.012). The tryptophan hydroxylase genotype was not related to any factor scores or total MADRS scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sample size was relatively small, and the subjects were composed of Japanese only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the genetic polymorphisms in 5HT2A receptor and serotonin transporter are linked to discrete symptom clusters of MDD.
authors.affiliation: Health Administration Center, Yamagata University, Japan. mkamata@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamata
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase