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Research provides further evidence of link between 5-HTTLPR genotype, childhood maltreatment, depression

Researchers replicated study findings from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort study in a sample of young adults from a middle-income country, providing further evidence that the association between childhood maltreatment and subsequent depressive episodes is moderated by 5-HTTLPR genotype.

“The pursuit of innovative findings has advanced science throughout the years. Studies focusing on replication of initial results, although also recognized as essential in the scientific process, have received less attention and are frequently regarded as just ‘another brick in the wall.’ In recent years, however, the low rate of replicability of results has produced incredulity, doubt, and distrust in the biomedical sciences in general, as well as in the field of mental health research,” Thiago Botter-Maio Rocha, MD, of the Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and colleagues wrote.

Using data from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study and employing a study design similar to the original, researchers assessed if the relationship between childhood maltreatment and a subsequent depressive episode diagnosis was moderated by 5-HTTLPR genotype. Study participants were assessed from birth to age 18 years. After screening for previous depressive symptoms, 2,392 study participants with available data for depressive episodes in early adulthood, childhood maltreatment and genotype were included.

According to researchers, the results replicated significant findings from the original study in a sample of young adults from a middle-income country.

There was a differential dose-response relationship between childhood maltreatment and major depression according to 5-HTTLPR genotype.

“These results provide further evidence supporting the initial hypothesis of interaction between 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and childhood maltreatment in the development of youth depression. Despite some differences in study methods, adopting the general principles of the original study proved to be indispensable to adequately assessing replicability — an aspect that was evident especially in regard to the timing of measurements,” the researchers concluded. – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: Botter-Maoi Rocha reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.