title: Polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene and post-stroke depression: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polymorphisms of the gene encoding the serotonin transporter-specifically, length variation in the serotonin--transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5-HTTLPR (rs25531), and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the second intron 2 (STin2)--have been implicated in the development of post-stroke depression (PSD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter gene and PSD in the medical literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies examining relations between polymorphisms of the gene encoding the serotonin transporter and the risk of developing PSD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four studies comprising 260 stroke patients with PSD and 381 without were included. Our analyses showed a significant and positive association between the homozygous short variation (S) allele genotype of the 5-HTTLPR (SS) and PSD (random-effects pooled OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.98, z=3.79, p<0.001). Our analyses also showed a significant and negative association between the homozygous long variation (L) allele genotype of the 5-HTTLPR (LL) and PSD (random-effects OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.97, z=-2.07, p=0.039). No statistically significant association of PSD with heterozygous S and L allele genotype for 5-HTTLPR or other polymorphisms with rs25531 and STin2 VNTR was found. Heterogeneity and publication bias were not statistically significant. The major limitation of this meta-analysis is that we could not assess the interaction between stroke, environmental stress and PSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 5-HTTLPR SS genotype may be a risk factor for PSD. The 5-HTTLPR LL genotype showed a significant negative association with PSD. Further research to assess the sensitivity and specificity of predicting the risk of developing PSD by screening for the 5-HTTLPR genotype in stroke patients is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kwok Kei
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Wan Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Anselm
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Vijay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Roger C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D017594:Publication Bias / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins