B. Camarena et al., Association study of the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in obsessive-compulsive disorder, IN J NEUROP, 4(3), 2001, pp. 269-272
The hypothesis implicating the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology o
f obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is supported by the therapeutic effic
acy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Since SSRIs act on
the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), it has been suggested that the 5-HTT gen
e (SCL6A4) could be a good candidate for OCD. The SCL6A4 gene has a 44-bp i
nsertion/deletion polymorphism in its promoter region (5-HTTLPR). Previous
studies have revealed an association between OCD and the I allele. We analy
sed the 5HTTLPR polymorphic system in 115 Mexican OCD patients and 136 cont
rols. No significant association was found between I allele and OCD (chi (2
) = 1.54, d.f. = 1, p = 0.21). Furthermore, we assessed alternative methods
that employ family-based designs in a sample of 43 trios. Haplotype-based
haplotype relative risk and transmission disequilibrium analysis did not sh
ow a preferential transmission of I allele to OCD probands. Our results ind
icate the need to analyse larger samples using family-based methods.