@article{ref1,
title="The 5-HTTLPR genotype, early life adversity and cortisol responsivity to psychosocial stress in women",
journal="BJPsych open",
year="2018",
author="Aleknaviciute, Jurate and Tulen, Joke H. M. and de Rijke, Yolanda B. and van der Kroeg, Mark and Kooiman, Cornelis G. and Kushner, Steven A.",
volume="4",
number="4",
pages="180-185",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) has previously been associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function. Moreover, it has been suggested that this association is moderated by an interaction with stressful life experiences. AIMS: To investigate the moderation of cortisol response to psychosocial stress by 5-HTTLPR genotype, either directly or through an interaction with early life stress. <br><br>METHOD: A total of 151 women, 85 of which had personality psychopathology, performed the Trier Social Stress Test while cortisol responsivity was assessed. <br><br>RESULTS: The results demonstrate a main effect of genotype on cortisol responsivity. Women carrying two copies of the long version of 5-HTTLPR exhibited stronger cortisol responses to psychosocial stress than women with at least one copy of the short allele (<i>P</i> = 0.03). However, the proportion of the variance of stress-induced cortisol responsivity explained by 5-HTTLPR genotype was not further strengthened by including early life adversity as a moderating factor (<i>P</i> = 0.52). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the need to clarify gender-specific biological factors influencing the serotonergic system. Furthermore, our results suggest that childhood maltreatment, specifically during the first 15 years of life, is unlikely to exert a moderating influence of large effect on the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and cortisol responsivity to psychosocial stress. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2056-4724",
doi="10.1192/bjo.2018.23",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2018.23"
}