Serotonin-1A receptor CC genotype is associated with persistent depression related to interferon-alpha in hepatitis C patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to investigate the development of depression during interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy and the variations in the expression of the serotonin receptor (5-HTR) and transporter (5-HTT) in hepatitis C patients.


METHODS
Hepatitis C patients (n=277) were given the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview at the end of IFN-α therapy. Three polymorphisms were genotyped: the serotonin transporter repeat length polymorphic region [5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR)], as well as SNPs rs25531 and rs6295, located within the 5-HTTLPR and the transcriptional control region of the 5-HTR1A gene, respectively.


RESULTS
The diagnosis of current depression, which was associated with IFN-α-related depression (P<.001), demonstrated a statistically significant association with the CC genotype of the 5-HTR1A gene (odds ratio=5.57, 95% confidence interval=1.61-19.24, P=.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent depression may represent a more specific type of IFN-α-related psychopathology. Future studies need to investigate the genetic risk factors for vulnerability associated with persistent depression. Limitations, such as the study's cross-sectional design, small sample size and retrospective assessment of IFN-α-induced depression diagnosis, must be taken into account while interpreting the results found in this study.
Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical School, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências Clínicas (LiNC), Medical School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: acgalvao@ufba.br.
Amanda
A
Galvão-de Almeida
Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical School, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil; Psychiatry Service, University Hospital, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.
Lucas C
LC
Quarantini
Department of Psychobiology, Medical School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Amanda Guindalini
AG
Tartaglioni
Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.
André C
AC
Lyra
Hepatitis Unit and Hospital São Paulo, Medical School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Carmen Lívia
CL
Parise
Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.
Raymundo
R
Paraná
Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical School, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.
Irismar R
IR
de Oliveira
Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical School, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Neurociências Clínicas (LiNC), Medical School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Angela
A
Miranda-Scippa
Psychiatry Service, University Hospital, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil; Department of Psychobiology, Medical School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Camila
C
Guindalini
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; D012254:Ribavirin
Interferon-alpha; Major depressive disorder; Serotonin receptor; Serotonin transporter