The Association Of 5-HTTLPR With Unipolar Depression, UPD

Objective:To investigate the association of the polymorphism of serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic (5-HTTLPR) region with unipolar depression, UPD and its clinical symptoms in the Han Chinese.Methods:PCR-based technique was used to genotype 5-HTTLPR in 178 patients with unipolar depression and 120 unrelated controls, and the association between the polymorphism and clinical symptoms of depression was explored according to HAMD score.Results:More patients tended to be of L/L genotype (12%) than controls (11%), but there was no significant difference. Among women, fewer patients tended to be of L/L genotype (8%) than controls (14%), but there was no significant difference. The symptom analysis showed that depressive symptoms were significantly associated with 5-HTTLPR genotypes or alleles in the patients of L/L genotype, and that L allele had significantly lower depressive (HAMD) scores compared with those of other genotypes of alleles(P<0.05).Conclusion:5-HTTLPR L/L may be a protective factor for depression, especially in females. L/L genotype and L allele may be protective factors for the symptoms of depression.