Serotonin transporter gene × environment and risk of depression in community-treated epilepsy

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to test whether a specific serotonin transporter (5HTT) gene polymorphism interacting with life stress increased the risk of depression in patients with epilepsy. Methods: The Tasmanian Epilepsy Register Mood Study (TERMS) used a cross-sectional study design of a community sample of patients with epilepsy previously recruited into the Tasmanian Epilepsy Register. It employed a mailed self-complete questionnaire and saliva DNA collection. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Environmental measures were selected to cover recent stressful events, epilepsy-related stress, current social support, and early life stress. R..