Association Of Psychiatric Comorbidity In Chinese Heroin Dependence Patients With Polymorphisms In The Serotonin Transporter Promote Gene

Objective: To explore the relationship between polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter promote gene and psychiatric comorbidity in Chinese heroin dependence patients. Methods: 217 heroin dependence patients were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Overt Aggression Scale. The serotonin transporter gene linkage polymorphism region (5-HTTLPR) was investigated by Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms techniques in the 217 heroin dependence and 102 healthy controls. Result: (1) 5-HTTLPR no statistically significant difference was found between heroin dependence patients and control subjects. (2) There was no significant differences of genotype between subjects with psychiatric comorbidity and without same disorder. (3) The score of HAMD in 100 abstinent heroin dependent subjects was not associated with the genotype of the polymorphism of 5-HTTLPR. The total score and mental anxiety score of HAMA were positive relationship with polymorphism of 5-HTTLPR. The higher scores were associated with the patients of L/L genotype compared with S/S subjects. (4) Violent and nonviolent heroin dependence was negatively correlated with 5-HTTLPR. (5) There was no significant difference between the heroin dependence with suicidal behavior, violent or repeated suicide attempt and only heroin...