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Interaction between two HTR2A polymorphisms and gender is associated with treatment response in MDD
Merja Viikki1, Kaija Huuhka, Esa Leinonen
1University of Tampere, Medical School, 33014 University of Tampere, Finland; Tampere Mental Health Centre, Hallituskatu 8 B, 33200 Tampere, Finland. merja.viikki@gmail.com
Neuroscience Letters
|July 12, 2011
Summary
The 5HT2A receptor gene (HTR2A) polymorphisms rs7997012 and rs6311 interact with gender to influence treatment response in major depressive disorder (MDD). This interaction explained 14% of the variance in depression symptom reduction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are common treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Previous studies inconsistently linked HTR2A gene polymorphisms (rs7997012, rs6311) to SSRI treatment response in MDD.
- Understanding genetic predictors of treatment response is crucial for personalized MDD therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between HTR2A polymorphisms (rs7997012, rs6311) and their interaction with treatment response in MDD patients.
- To assess the impact of these polymorphisms on depression symptom changes following ECT or SSRI treatment, measured by the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 218 MDD outpatients was studied, including 119 with treatment-resistant MDD receiving ECT and 99 receiving SSRI treatment.
- Genotyping was performed for HTR2A polymorphisms rs7997012 and rs6311.
- Treatment response was evaluated using MADRS scores, with remission defined as a score <8 post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Neither rs7997012 nor rs6311 HTR2A polymorphism alone showed a significant association with MADRS score change.
- A significant interaction between HTR2A polymorphisms (rs7997012 and rs6311) and gender explained 14% of the variance in MADRS score change.
- No significant association was found between individual polymorphisms and treatment response.
Conclusions:
- The interaction between HTR2A polymorphisms rs7997012, rs6311, and gender is associated with treatment response in major depressive disorder.
- These findings highlight the potential role of gene-gene-gender interactions in predicting therapeutic outcomes for MDD.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this interaction and its clinical implications.
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