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Pharmacopsychiatry 2012; 45(03): 108-113
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1291347
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) Affects the Relation between Antidepressant Serum Concentrations and Effectiveness in Major Depression

N. Dreimüller
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Mainz, Germany
,
A. Tadić
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Mainz, Germany
,
A. Dragicevic
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Mainz, Germany
,
K. Boland
2   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
,
B. Bondy
3   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
,
K. Lieb
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Mainz, Germany
,
G. Laux
4   Inn-Salzach Hospital, Wasserburg a. Inn, Germany
,
W. Maier
2   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
,
M. J. Müller
5   Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychiatry Marburg-Süd, Marburg, Germany
,
M. L. Rao
2   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
,
M. Rietschel
6   Central Institute of Mental Health, Division of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Mannheim, Germany
,
J. Röschke
7   SCIVIAS St. Valentinus-Hospital, Kiedrich/Rheingau, Germany
,
P. Zill
3   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
,
C. Hiemke
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre, Mainz, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 30 June 2011
revised 29 September 2011

accepted 05 October 2011

Publication Date:
15 November 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction:

Both the serotonin transporter promotor polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and serum concentrations of SSRIs have been shown to affect response to SSRIs. Results, however, are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether remission or response to SSRIs is influenced by an interaction of 5-HTTLPR and SSRI serum concentrations.

Methods:

49 patients with major depression and SSRI treatment were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR locus including the rs25531. Drug serum concentrations and depression severity were measured weekly.

Results:

Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between 5-HTTLPR, SSRI serum concentrations and response to treatment. A favourable treatment outcome correlated with SSRI serum concentration in 5-HTTLPR-LA allele carriers (r²=34.3%; p=0.001), but not in S/LG-allele carriers (p=0.31)

Discussion:

In the group of LA allele carriers, those MDD patients with a high antidepressant serum concentrations responded better to treatment than patients with a low serum concentration. We conclude that the 5-HTTLPR might affect reponse to SRRI subject to serum concentrations. If replicated this might be a starting point for prospective clinical trials.

Key words

5-HTTLPR - SSRI - TDM - depression
 

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