TY - JOUR
T1 - Depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease
T2 - Possible effect of genetic variation in the serotonin transporter
AU - Menza, Matthew A.
AU - Palermo, Brandon
AU - DiPaola, Rocco
AU - Sage, Jacob I.
AU - Ricketts, Michael H.
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - Recently, a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene has been linked to anxiety. In cell culture, the short allele of this polymorphism synthesizes less serotonin transporter, resulting in a reduction of the removal of serotonin from the synaptic cleft. This pilot study examines depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease patients as a function of the variation in this polymorphism. Thirty-two patients were genotyped and then blindly administered the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales. Clinical data on the neurologic features of the disease were also gathered. Patients with the short allele of the serotonin transporter promotor scored significantly higher on both the depression and anxiety measures. There were no differences between groups for any neurologic variable. Patients with the short allele were more likely to have scores for anxiety and depression that indicated 'caseness.' This study suggests that the short allele of the serotonin transporter gene may represent a significant risk factor for the development of anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease patients.
AB - Recently, a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene has been linked to anxiety. In cell culture, the short allele of this polymorphism synthesizes less serotonin transporter, resulting in a reduction of the removal of serotonin from the synaptic cleft. This pilot study examines depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease patients as a function of the variation in this polymorphism. Thirty-two patients were genotyped and then blindly administered the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales. Clinical data on the neurologic features of the disease were also gathered. Patients with the short allele of the serotonin transporter promotor scored significantly higher on both the depression and anxiety measures. There were no differences between groups for any neurologic variable. Patients with the short allele were more likely to have scores for anxiety and depression that indicated 'caseness.' This study suggests that the short allele of the serotonin transporter gene may represent a significant risk factor for the development of anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease patients.
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U2 - 10.1177/089198879901200202
DO - 10.1177/089198879901200202
M3 - Article
C2 - 10483924
AN - SCOPUS:0032846350
SN - 0891-9887
VL - 12
SP - 49
EP - 52
JO - Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
JF - Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
IS - 2
ER -