Obsessive-compulsive disorder, factor-analyzed symptom dimensions and serotonin transporter polymorphism.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors are effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Candidate genes involved in 5-HT regulation, including the 5-HT transporter gene, are hypothesized to be implicated in OCD pathogenesis.
• The SERT PR polymorphism has been investigated as a potential genetic factor in OCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the 5-HT transporter gene (SERT PR) polymorphism and OCD.
• To explore the relationship between SERT PR polymorphism and specific symptom dimensions of OCD using factor analysis.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 124 OCD patients and 171 healthy controls.
• Genomic DNA extraction and analysis of SERT PR polymorphism genotypes and allele frequencies.
• Principal component analysis of Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) checklist items to identify symptom factors.

Main Results:

• No significant association was found between SERT PR polymorphism and the overall development of OCD.
• In OCD patients, the L genotype of SERT PR was associated with higher scores on the religious/somatic symptom factor compared to the S genotype.

Conclusions:

• The SERT PR polymorphism does not appear to be a significant risk factor for the development of OCD.
• SERT PR polymorphism may influence specific symptom dimensions within OCD, such as religious and somatic concerns.
• Factor analysis can identify meaningful symptom dimensions that may be influenced by genetic factors in OCD.