No association between the serotonin-1A receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphism rs6295C/G and symptoms of anxiety or depression, and no interaction between the polymorphism and environmental stressors of childhood anxiety or recent stressful life events on anxiety or depression

Background There are conflicting reports of an association between a common functional single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6295C/G) in the serotonin-1A receptor gene (HTR1A) and psychological disorders. Methods In our study we investigated associations between this polymorphism and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a population sample of 6445 Caucasians in the age groups 20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years. We also looked for interactions between the polymorphism and environmental stressors; of childhood adversity or recent stressful life events on anxiety and depression. Results There were no significant associations between the polymorphism and anxiety, depression or associated personality traits in the three age cohorts. There were no significant gene-environment interactions between the polymorphism and either of the environmental stressors on anxiety or depression. Conclusion We found no associations or gene-environment interactions involving the polymorphism and symptoms of anxiety or depression. Psychiatr Genet 20:8-13 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.