Mood changes after delivery: role of the serotonin transporter gene
BackgroundPolymorphic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) moderate the depressogenic effects of tryptophan depletion. After childbirth there is a sharp reduction in brain tryptophan availability, thus polymorphic variations in5-HTTmay play a similar role in the post-partum period.AimsTo study the role of5-HTTpolymorphic variations in mood changes after delivery.MethodOne thousand, eight hundred and four depression-free Spanish women were studied post-partum. We evaluated depressive symptoms at 2–3 days, 8 weeks and 32 weeks post-partum. We used diagnostic interview to confirm major depression for all probable cases. Based on two polymorphisms of5-HTT(5-HTTLPR and STin2 VNTR), three genotype combinations were created to reflect different levels of5-HTTexpression.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-three women (12.7%) experienced major depression during the 32-week post-partum period. Depressive symptoms were associated with the high-expression5-HTTgenotypes in a dose–response fashion at 8 weeks post-partum, but not at 32 weeks.ConclusionsHigh-expression5-HTTgenotypes may render women more vulnerable to depressive symptoms after childbirth.