title: Serotonin transporter gene moderates associations between mood, memory and hippocampal volume.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The short (S) allele of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) is associated with reduced serotonin turnover compared to the long (L) allele in Caucasians. Few studies have examined its impact on memory and brain structure in healthy young adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 51 healthy young adults (25 female; ages 18-25). Multiple regressions examined the independent contribution of 5-HTTLPR biomarker genotype and its interactions with gender and sub-clinical depressive symptoms on hippocampal volumes and memory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5-HTTLPR genotype significantly interacted with gender in predicting larger left hippocampal volumes in S-carrying females and smaller hippocampal volumes in males (p<.03). Gender also moderated the impact of the 5-HTTLPR on neurocognition. In females, S allele carriers had poorer visual recall compared to L carriers (p<.05). A three-way interaction between 5-HTTLPR, gender, and depressive symptoms was also observed (p<.04). In females, larger left hippocampal volumes were associated with increased depressive symptoms while the opposite was seen in males. Finally, in male and female S carriers, increased depressive symptoms were marginally associated with poorer verbal memory (p<.09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In females, the 5-HTTLPR S allele was associated with poorer memory performance, increased depressive symptoms and larger hippocampal volumes. In males, the S allele predicted smaller hippocampal volumes and increased depressive symptoms. The opposite morphometric patterns likely reflect gender differences in adolescent hippocampal development. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to examine whether the impact of 5-HTTLPR genotype on neurocognition across development differs according to extent of mood symptoms and gender.
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati, Departments of Psychology, United States.
authors.forename: Jenessa S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eliassen
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McQueeny
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Claudia B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Padula
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shear
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lisdahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins