Abstract
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs) are the treatment of choice for Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a prime target for SRIs, thus suggesting the gene coding for 5-HTT could play a role in the pharmacological response of OCD. A 44 bp deletion/ insertion functional polymorphism within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) leads to different transcriptional rates of 5-HTT protein. We compared the distribution of 5-HTTLPR alleles and genotypes in 156 OCD (81 M, 75 F) patients, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria with respect to the clinical response to a standardized treatment with SRIs (Clomipramine or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): no association was observed between the response and 5-HTTLPR in the total group. Subdividing the sample according to sex we found a lack of SS genotypes in the female group not responsive to treatment. Albeit this finding could be simply due to stratification or chance, the hypothesis that 5-HTTLPR may influence the treatment response in a sex related way, cannot be excluded.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 536 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | American Journal of Medical Genetics - Neuropsychiatric Genetics |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 7 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics(clinical)
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
- Neuroscience(all)