Role of serotonergic gene polymorphisms on response to transcranial magnetic stimulation in depression

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2007 Oct;17(10):651-7. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2007.03.008. Epub 2007 Apr 27.

Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been extensively studied as a treatment for Major Depression. However, no data are available about the role of genetic variables on the response to this treatment. We analysed the role of two polymorphisms that influence the response to antidepressants: the polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter promoter region (SERTPR) and of the 5-HT(1A) serotonergic receptor promoter region (-1019C/G). Ninety-nine patients from two double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled TMS trials were enrolled. There was a significant influence (p=0.016) of the SERTPR polymorphism on treatment outcome, without differences between active and sham stimulation. Conversely, there was a significant (p=0.014) interaction between 5-HT(1A) genotype and type of stimulation: C/C patients showed a higher difference between active and sham stimulation, indicating that these patients benefited more by TMS than C/G and G/G subjects. Our sample has not the power to control for the possible influence of different medications on these results.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Depression / genetics*
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / genetics*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A