Candidate-Gene Approach in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Urban Violence: Association Analysis of the Genes Encoding Serotonin Transporter, Dopamine Transporter, and BDNF

Author(s)

Marques Valente, Nina Leao ^[1] ; Vallada, Homero ^[2] ; Cordeiro, Quirino ^[2] ; Miguita, Karen ^{[3, 2]} ; Bressan, Rodrigo Affonseca ^[1] ; Andreoli, Sergio Baxter ^[1] ; Mari, Jair Jesus ^{[1, 4, 5]} ; Mello, Marcelo Feijo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psiquiatria, BR-04023061 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Dept Psiquiatria & LIM 23, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Adolfo Lutz Inst, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Kings Coll London, Hlth Serv, London WC2R 2LS - England

^[5] Kings Coll London, Populat Res Dept, Inst Psychiat, London WC2R 2LS - England

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE; v. 44, n. 1, p. 59-67, MAY 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 39

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, disabling anxiety disorder marked by behavioral and physiologic alterations which commonly follows a chronic course. Exposure to a traumatic event constitutes a necessary, but not sufficient, factor. There is evidence from twin studies supporting a significant genetic predisposition to PTSD. However, the precise genetic loci still remain unclear. The objective of the present study was to identify, in a case-control study, whether the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism (rs6265), the dopamine transporter (DAT1) three prime untranslated region (3'UTR) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), and the serotonin transporter (5-HTTPRL) short/long variants are associated with the development of PTSD in a group of victims of urban violence. All polymorphisms were genotyped in 65 PTSD patients as well as in 34 victims of violence without PTSD and in a community control group (n = 335). We did not find a statistical significant difference between the BDNF val66met and 5-HTTPRL polymorphism and the traumatic phenotype. However, a statistical association was found between DAT1 3'UTR VNTR nine repeats and PTSD (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20-2.76). This preliminary result confirms previous reports supporting a susceptibility role for allele 9 and PTSD. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/15039-0 - Post-traumatic stress disorder: epidemiology, physiopathology and treatment
• Grantee: Jair de Jesus Mari
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants