Prophylactic effect of lithium in bipolar affective illness may be related to serotonin transporter genotype.

Abstract

Serotonin transporter promoter length polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mood disorders and in the therapeutic response to serotonergic drugs. In this study, the 5-HTTLPR was estimated in 67 patients with bipolar mood disorder, receiving lithium carbonate for prophylactic purposes for the period of more than 5 years (mean 15 years). The patients were divided into excellent responders (n = 18), partial responders (n = 35) and poor responders (n = 14). In lithium non-responders, the genotype s/s and the allele s was significantly more frequent than in excellent and partial responders. The obtained results are discussed in view of other studies showing an association of S genotype with worse response to serotonergic drugs. A supposition is made that prophylactic management of bipolar illness can be optimized by defining 5-HTTLPR genotype.

• Authors: Janusz K Rybakowski, Aleksandra Suwalska, Piotr M Czerski, Monika Dmitrzak-Weglarz, Anna Leszczynska-Rodziewicz, Joanna Hauser
• Journal: Pharmacological reports : PR (Pharmacol Rep) 2005 Jan-Feb Vol. 57 Issue 1 Pg. 124-7 ISSN: 1734-1140 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 15849387 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Membrane Transport Proteins
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• SLC6A4 protein, human
• Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
• Lithium Carbonate

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bipolar Disorder (drug therapy, genetics)
• Female
• Genotype
• Humans
• Lithium Carbonate (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Membrane Glycoproteins (drug effects, genetics)
• Membrane Transport Proteins (drug effects, genetics)
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (drug effects, genetics)
• Pharmacogenetics
• Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins