Sign in Subscribe
Genetic research

Gene Variants May Influence Response to Antidepressant Treatments in Major Depressive Disorder

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the University of Bologna have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the relationship between gene variants and the effectiveness of antidepressant treatments. The study, published in Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy in 2014, investigated the impact of five genetic variants on the response to either antidepressant pharmacological treatment or interpersonal counseling in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The findings suggest that a specific variant of the serotonin transporter gene, rs8076005, may influence the response to antidepressant treatments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 137 MDD patients who were randomized to either antidepressant pharmacological treatment or interpersonal counseling.
  • The researchers investigated the impact of five genetic variants on the response to treatment.
  • The LC6A4 rs8076005 AA genotype and A allele were associated with a higher response rate in the antidepressant group (p = 0.015 and 0.005, respectively) and in the whole sample (p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively).
  • A non-significant trend in the same direction was observed in the IPC group.
  • The TPH2 rs11179023 A allele showed a marginal association with symptom improvement in the IPC group only.
  • Other gene variants did not impact on outcomes in any treatment group.

Statistics:

  • 137 MDD patients were involved in the study.
  • 40 patients were assigned to the interpersonal counseling (IPC) group.
  • 97 patients were assigned to the antidepressant pharmacological treatment group.
  • 5 genetic variants were investigated: 5HTR2A rs6314, BDNF rs6265, SLC6A4 rs8076005, CREB1 rs2253206, and TPH2 rs11179023.
  • 2 genetic variants (LC6A4 rs8076005 aa genotype and A allele) were significantly associated with improved response rate in both the antidepressant group and the whole sample.
  • A non-significant trend was observed in the IPC group.

Sources:

  • Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy, 2014; 18(5): 567-77.
  • Y. Matsumoto, et al. "Serotonin transporter gene: a new polymorphism may affect response to antidepressant treatments in major depressive disorder." Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy.
  • Adis International LTD (41 Centorian Dr, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 10, New Zealand).
  • University of Bologna (Viale Carlo Pepoli 5, 40123, Bologna, Italy).
  • NewsRx, 2015 (July 17).

Read more