Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) in patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a Chinese sample of earthquake survivors. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) were performed to type 5-HTTLPR promoter polymorphism in 57 PTSD patients and an equal number of healthy controls. The genotype and allele frequency distribution were analyzed and compared using various statistical methods. The frequency of LL, SL and SS genotypes in patients was found to be 5, 16 and 36 respectively, in comparison to 16, 22 and 19 in healthy controls. Fewer patients tended to be L genotype (22.8%) than controls (47.4%), but the number of patients with the S genotype was higher (77.2%) compared to controls (52.6%). The results show a statistically significant difference in genotype and allele frequency distribution between patients and controls. This research suggests that PTSD symptoms are significantly associated with 5-HTTLPR genetic polymorphism. These results add to the important research of genetics of psychiatric disorders, particularly in a Chinese context that has not been previously studied.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) in patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a Chinese sample of earthquake survivors
This research suggests that PTSD symptoms are significantly associated with 5-HTTLPR genetic polymorphism
While current evidence does not fully support a direct effect of the polymorphism 5-HTTLPR on PTSD [12], the present study further aims at exploring the correlation of genotype and allele frequencies of 5-HTTLPR with PTSD in a Chinese population of earthquakes survivors
Summary
The incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has significantly increased due to the frequency of occurrence of natural and man-made. Because of the higher incidence of PTSD after encountering a traumatic event [5] and the accompanying possibilities of serious detriments to the individual, family and society, this condition has become a popular topic for psychiatric and clinical psychological research in recent years [6]. With the increase of natural disasters occurring among the world and in China, (including earthquakes in Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan), the incidence of psychological sequelae and more serious condition of PTSD has been increasing in recent years [7]. Exploring the mechanism of PTSD is important and necessary, to identify effective methods of prevention and treatment [8]
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