Association study of the 5-HT6 receptor polymorphism (C267T) and symptomatology and antidepressant response in major depressive disorders

The serotonergic neurotransmitter system has been implicated in the pathoge nesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Of the 14 human serotonin (5-HT) receptors, the 5-HT6 receptor may be a candidate for the study of MDD becau se of its relative abundance in certain limbic areas and its high affinity to several antidepressants. The present study tested the hypothesis that a 5-HT6 genetic polymorphism (C267T) is associated with the clinical manifest ations of, and/or antidepressant response in, MDD. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess 57 MDD patients before antidepressant treat ment, with 34 patients completing the 4-week treatment and evaluation. The results of the association study provide that the 5-HT6 C267T genetic varia nt does not play a major role in producing the clinical manifestations or a ntidepressant response for MDD patients. Further study with a functional 5- HT6 polymorphism is needed to explore the role of 5-HT6 in the pathogenesis of MDD. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.