Dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) in major depression: association with clinical response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

BACKGROUND: Dysbindin gene (dystrobrevin-binding-protein 1, DTNBP1) variants have been associated with several psychiatric conditions including mood disorders and antidepressant efficacy. We investigated dysbindin gene (DTNBP1) variants in major depression and clinical response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. METHODS: In this study we investigated the role of DTNBP1 gene (rs3213207, rs2005976, rs760761 and rs2619522) in 313 major depressive outpatients and 149 healthy individuals. One hundred and forty-seven depressive patients were treated with citalopram and evaluated for response (4th week) and remission (12th week) by the 1-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assayed by using Applied Biosystems TaqMan technology. RESULTS: Genotype and haplotype frequencies for four SNPs within DTNBP1 gene did not significantly differ between patients and controls. Allele distribution of SNP rs760761, however, showed a trend of difference between responders and nonresponders (4th week). Haplotype analyses produced a significant association with response to treatment at week 4. No differences were found in remission (12th week). DISCUSSION: DTNBP seems to have an effect on short-term clinical response to citalopram. New studies focused on other genes involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission and related proteins could help to elucidate the complex mechanism of clinical response to antidepressants.