title: [Serotonin transporter gene and stress reactivity in unipolar depression. Role of the HPA system as endophenotype of the SLC6A4 gene].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A length polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) is associated with both depression and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system activity. A dysregulation of the HPA system is considered to be a candidate endophenotype of depression. The objective of the present study was an investigation of a possible gene-endophenotype-interaction between 5-HTTLPR and HPA system activity in a sample of inpatients with major depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 237 inpatients with major depression were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR and participated in a combined dexamethasone-corticotropin-releasing hormone test (Dex-CRH test) as well as using the Hamilton score (Hamilton rating scale for depression) to determine the severity of the psychopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with the ss-genotype showed a significantly higher HPA -system activity in comparison to patients with the lI-genotype, but no association between 5-HTTLPR and the severity of psychopathology could be detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the current study demonstrate an influence of 5-HTTLPR on dysregulation of the HPA system in patients with major depression and support the hypothesis that 5-HTTLPR- and HPA-system-interaction constitutes an important component in the pathogenesis of depression.
authors: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Deutschland, Hanne.Welper@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Welper
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Aller
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Guttenthaler
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Höfels
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Lennertz
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Pfeiffer
authors: S G
authors: SG
authors: Schwab
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Zobel
mesh_terms: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000097:blood; D058068:Endophenotypes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone