Influence of serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region polymorphism on platelet activation in geriatric depression. |
| |
Authors: | E M Whyte B G Pollock W R Wagner B H Mulsant R E Ferrell S Mazumdar C F Reynolds |
| |
Institution: | Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA. whyteem@msx.upmc.edu |
| |
Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: Depression has been associated with increased platelet activation. Variations in the serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism may influence the degree of activation. The authors examined the association among depression, platelet activation, and 5-HTTLPR genotype. METHOD: Elderly subjects with (N=61) and without (N=12) major depression were assessed for cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, and two indices of platelet activation. The depressed subjects were genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. RESULTS: The depressed subjects were older, were more cognitively impaired, and had higher platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin levels; cardiovascular disease was minimal in both groups. In the depressed group, subjects with the 5-HTTLPR l/l genotype had significantly higher platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet activation is increased in elderly depressed patients, especially those with the 5-HTTLPR l/l genotype. This finding suggests how genetic differences may influence cardiovascular mortality in depressed patients with ischemic heart disease. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|