ASSOCIATION OF SHORT ALLELES OF A VNTR OF THE SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER GENE WITH ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS PRESENTING AFTER DELIBERATE SELF-HARM

The polymorphism of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) region of t he serotonin transporter gene consists of three alleles containing, re spectively, 9 (STin2.9), 10 (STin2.10) and 12 (STin2.12) copies of a r epetitive element. The frequencies of the three alleles in 384 individ uals presenting after deliberate self harm were the same as a group of 346 controls. However, ratings of anxiety (and state anger) were high er in those patients with genotypes including the shorter repetitive e lements. The findings support the hypothesis that, in this group of pa tients with low rates of severe psychiatric disorder, allelic variatio n in the serotonin transporter gene may contribute to the expression o f anxiety symptoms. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.