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Serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) polymorphisms and compulsive buying.
E J Devor1, H J Magee, R M Dill-Devor
1Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, Iowa 52241, USA. rdevor@idtdna.com
American Journal of Medical Genetics
|April 17, 1999
Summary
Researchers investigated genetic links to compulsive buying disorder by examining serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphisms in patients. No significant differences in these DNA markers were found between compulsive buyers and healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is a behavioral addiction characterized by excessive preoccupation and purchasing.
- Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphisms have been implicated in various psychiatric disorders, including impulse control and mood disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between two specific DNA sequence polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene and compulsive buying disorder.
- To determine if genetic variations in the 5-HTT gene are more prevalent in individuals with compulsive buying disorder compared to a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of two 5-HTT gene polymorphisms: a 44-base pair (bp) deletion in the promoter region and a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the second intron.
- Analysis of DNA samples from a cohort of 21 patients diagnosed with compulsive buying disorder.
- Comparison of genotype frequencies of the 5-HTT markers between the patient group and a control group of 38 psychiatrically normal individuals.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequencies of either the 5-HTT promoter region polymorphism or the 5-HTT intron polymorphism between patients with compulsive buying disorder and the control group.
- The genetic variations examined in the 5-HTT gene do not appear to be associated with compulsive buying disorder in this study cohort.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that the investigated polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene are not significantly associated with compulsive buying disorder.
- Further research with larger sample sizes and examination of other genetic and environmental factors may be warranted to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of compulsive buying disorder.