Comments on: Stressed By His Short Allele http://brainblogger.com/2009/01/12/stressed-by-his-short-allele/ Topics from multidimensional biopsychosocial perspectives. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:01:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Neuroskeptichttp://brainblogger.com/2009/01/12/stressed-by-his-short-allele/#comment-411148 Neuroskeptic Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:42:40 +0000 http://brainblogger.com/?p=2192#comment-411148 The 5HTTLPR variant - the most researched genetic variant in the serotonin transporter gene - is very interesting. Most studies find it to be associated the "short" allele to be linked with depression or anxiety. But what's most interesting about that is that the "short" allele leads to less of the serotonin transporter protein being produced.Less of the transporter would be expected to lead to more serotonin and hence less depression and anxiety - assuming a very simple relationship between serotonin and mood. So either this simple relationship is wrong, or something more complicated is going on.Currently theory is that the short version of 5HTTLPR might lead to raised serotonin during early development which might alter brain function later. In animal studies giving SSRIs in early life can cause later anxious & depressive behaviour so it's plausible... The 5HTTLPR variant – the most researched genetic variant in the serotonin transporter gene – is very interesting. Most studies find it to be associated the “short” allele to be linked with depression or anxiety. But what’s most interesting about that is that the “short” allele leads to less of the serotonin transporter protein being produced.

Less of the transporter would be expected to lead to more serotonin and hence less depression and anxiety – assuming a very simple relationship between serotonin and mood. So either this simple relationship is wrong, or something more complicated is going on.

Currently theory is that the short version of 5HTTLPR might lead to raised serotonin during early development which might alter brain function later. In animal studies giving SSRIs in early life can cause later anxious & depressive behaviour so it’s plausible…

]]> By: Warren Throckmorton » Genetics and environment: Interaction in a different keyhttp://brainblogger.com/2009/01/12/stressed-by-his-short-allele/#comment-406275 Warren Throckmorton » Genetics and environment: Interaction in a different key Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:18:27 +0000 http://brainblogger.com/?p=2192#comment-406275 [...] discusses the influence of genetics and depression in a post with the provocative title, “Stressed by his short allele.” Brain Blogger is an interesting read in that he attempts to bring neurological research to a [...] [...] discusses the influence of genetics and depression in a post with the provocative title, “Stressed by his short allele.” Brain Blogger is an interesting read in that he attempts to bring neurological research to a [...]

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