Key result
Healthy volunteers with one or two long 5HTTLPR alleles had 50% higher CSF 5HIAA levels and greater blood pressure and heart rate responses to mental stress compared to the s/s genotype.
Why the study?
Does the 5HTTLPR polymorphism and central nervous system serotonin function affect cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress in healthy volunteers?
Cross-Sectional (n=54)
Does the 5HTTLPR polymorphism and central nervous system serotonin function affect cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress in healthy volunteers?
The long (l) allele of the 5HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with higher central serotonin function and exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress, which may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk.
May link 5HTTLPR to stress reactivity in healthy volunteers; leaves open any role in cardiovascular risk.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of indices of central nervous system (CNS) serotonin function on cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress. METHODS: Lumbar puncture was performed on 54 healthy volunteers to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for determination of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) levels. Genotypes were determined with respect to a functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5HTTLPR). Subjects then underwent mental stress testing. RESULTS: Persons with one or two long (l) 5HTTLPR alleles had CSF levels of the major serotonin metabolite, 5HIAA, that were 50% higher than those of persons with the s/s 5HTTLPR genotype. Persons with one or two l alleles or higher CSF 5HIAA levels also exhibited greater blood pressure and heart rate responses to a mental stress protocol. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the 5HTTLPR polymorphism affects CNS serotonin function, and they are consistent with the general hypothesis that CNS serotonin function is involved in the regulation of potentially health-damaging biobehavioral characteristics. In particular, the l allele could contribute, through its association with increased cardiovascular reactivity to stress, to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Williams et al. (2001) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=54). long (l) 5HTTLPR alleles vs. s/s 5HTTLPR genotype was evaluated on blood pressure and heart rate responses to mental stress. Healthy volunteers with one or two long 5HTTLPR alleles had 50% higher CSF 5HIAA levels and greater blood pressure and heart rate responses to mental stress compared to the s/s genotype.
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