"Serotonin Transporter Gene Linked To Depression, Binge Drinking"


Excerpts:


"People with short versions of the serotonin transporter gene are more
prone to binge drinking and anxiety.

Everyone inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent. There
are two normal variations, or polymorphisms, of the serotonin
transporter gene, labeled the long and the short variants. Most people
are heterozygous, that is, they have one copy of each variant, but about
30 percent of the Caucasian population are homozygous (carry duplicate
copies) of either the long or the short version. This percentage varies
depending on the ethnic background of the individual."


"The two versions are created by a slight variation in the sequence of
DNA in a region of the gene that acts like a dimmer switch, controlling
the level of the gene's turning on and off. This normal genetic
variation, or polymorphism, leads to transporters that function somewhat
differently. The short variant makes less protein, resulting in
increased levels of serotonin in the synapse and prolonged binding of
the neurotransmitter to receptors on connecting neurons."


"The researchers found that the students who carried two copies of the
short version of 5-HTT were more likely to report troublesome drinking
patterns. Dr. DePetrillo says, "Our findings reveal a significant
association of the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism with
increased alcohol consumption behavior in the students that we studied.
Taken together with other research, this finding suggests that
genetically mediated differences in serotonergic response play an
important role in mediating patterns of alcohol intake." The students
with two copies of the short form of the gene engaged more frequently in
binge drinking, drank more often to get drunk, and consumed more
alcoholic drinks per occasion than did students with the other
genotypes.

Another difference the researchers observed was that students with at
least one copy of the long variant of the 5-HTT gene tended to consume a
smaller number of drinks at a sitting, even though they went out to
drink as often as the other students.

Why should the presence of the shorter gene variant make such a
difference? The authors speculate that, because individuals who are
homozygous for the short version are known to be at risk for higher
levels of anxiety, they may use alcohol to reduce tension. Further
studies are needed to understand the influence of the serotonin
transporter gene on drinking behavior, with special attention given to
replication in other ethnic groups."


"Does anyone happen to know what the distribution of 5-HTT variations is
in various ethnicities and races? There are probably regional
differences in distribution well below the level of the major races.
The short version of the serotonin transporter gene also predisposes a
person to depression in response to stressful life events.

The serotonin transporter gene codes for the protein in neurons, brain
cells, that recycles the chemical messenger after it's been secreted
into the synapse, the gulf between cells. Since the most widely
prescribed class of antidepressants act by blocking this transporter
protein, the gene has been a prime suspect in mood and anxiety
disorders. Yet, its link to depression eluded detection in eight
previous studies."

http://www.futurepundit.com/archives..._genetics.html

"neuro equipoise" <NeuroEquipoise@webtv.net> wrote in
message
news:28553-40A4DE02-24@storefull-3275.bay.webtv.net...
> The authors speculate

Hard to disagree with that, isn't it.

Bob

thanks for posting this neuro.....................there is more and
more research being done, now that DEPRESSION, THE DISEASE is
getting the attention that it deserves.
--
rosie

http://www.johnkerry.com/features/he...ime/email.html



"neuro equipoise" <NeuroEquipoise@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:28553-40A4DE02-24@storefull-3275.bay.webtv.net...
:
: "Serotonin Transporter Gene Linked To Depression, Binge Drinking"
:
:
: Excerpts:
:
:
: "People with short versions of the serotonin transporter gene are
more
: prone to binge drinking and anxiety.
:
: Everyone inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent.
There
: are two normal variations, or polymorphisms, of the serotonin
: transporter gene, labeled the long and the short variants. Most
people
: are heterozygous, that is, they have one copy of each variant, but
about
: 30 percent of the Caucasian population are homozygous (carry
duplicate
: copies) of either the long or the short version. This percentage
varies
: depending on the ethnic background of the individual."
:
:
: "The two versions are created by a slight variation in the
sequence of
: DNA in a region of the gene that acts like a dimmer switch,
controlling
: the level of the gene's turning on and off. This normal genetic
: variation, or polymorphism, leads to transporters that function
somewhat
: differently. The short variant makes less protein, resulting in
: increased levels of serotonin in the synapse and prolonged binding
of
: the neurotransmitter to receptors on connecting neurons."
:
:
: "The researchers found that the students who carried two copies of
the
: short version of 5-HTT were more likely to report troublesome
drinking
: patterns. Dr. DePetrillo says, "Our findings reveal a significant
: association of the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism
with
: increased alcohol consumption behavior in the students that we
studied.
: Taken together with other research, this finding suggests that
: genetically mediated differences in serotonergic response play an
: important role in mediating patterns of alcohol intake." The
students
: with two copies of the short form of the gene engaged more
frequently in
: binge drinking, drank more often to get drunk, and consumed more
: alcoholic drinks per occasion than did students with the other
: genotypes.
:
: Another difference the researchers observed was that students with
at
: least one copy of the long variant of the 5-HTT gene tended to
consume a
: smaller number of drinks at a sitting, even though they went out
to
: drink as often as the other students.
:
: Why should the presence of the shorter gene variant make such a
: difference? The authors speculate that, because individuals who
are
: homozygous for the short version are known to be at risk for
higher
: levels of anxiety, they may use alcohol to reduce tension. Further
: studies are needed to understand the influence of the serotonin
: transporter gene on drinking behavior, with special attention
given to
: replication in other ethnic groups."
:
:
: "Does anyone happen to know what the distribution of 5-HTT
variations is
: in various ethnicities and races? There are probably regional
: differences in distribution well below the level of the major
races.
: The short version of the serotonin transporter gene also
predisposes a
: person to depression in response to stressful life events.
:
: The serotonin transporter gene codes for the protein in neurons,
brain
: cells, that recycles the chemical messenger after it's been
secreted
: into the synapse, the gulf between cells. Since the most widely
: prescribed class of antidepressants act by blocking this
transporter
: protein, the gene has been a prime suspect in mood and anxiety
: disorders. Yet, its link to depression eluded detection in eight
: previous studies."
:
: http://www.futurepundit.com/archives..._genetics.html
:

>thanks for posting this neuro.....................there is more and
>more research being done, now that DEPRESSION, THE DISEASE is
>getting the attention that it deserves.

So much so that they have little kids hopped up on anti-depressants.

Everyone is depressed at some point - taking pills and not working through it
is an easy out, IMO.

However, I do believe their to be forms or severe depression that do need
medical attention. I do not believe the amount of people on meds fit into this
group.

:
: Everyone is depressed at some point - taking pills and not working
through it
: is an easy out, IMO.


yes, you are quite correct on this point.
if you are able to work through your depression, you are not a
candidate for medication.



:
: However, I do believe their to be forms or severe depression that
do need
: medical attention.


medical literature would back you up on this christine!


I do not believe the amount of people on meds fit into this group.


you are entitled to your opinion, but i wonder how you came to it?

do you know lots of folks on meds that you have determined don't
need them?

should i assume that you are well educated in the field of
psychiatry and are then quite qualified to be this judgmental?

Christine wrote:

>>thanks for posting this neuro.....................there is more and
>>more research being done, now that DEPRESSION, THE DISEASE is
>>getting the attention that it deserves.
>
>
> So much so that they have little kids hopped up on anti-depressants.

LOL! I just love that old expression "hopped up on...". My anti
depressant doesn't "hop me up" at all. It does help keep me from
thinking about suicide most of the time like I used to.


> Everyone is depressed at some point - taking pills and not working through it
> is an easy out, IMO.

Yes, the commercials on TV for anti depressants disgust me! They
say something like "if you have been depressed for two weeks or
more..." Well who the hell hasn't ever been depressed for two weeks
or more? Anyone? That is what makes it all sound bad for someone
like me, who happened to have severe depression for over 35 years.
I tell someone I'm on an anti depressant and they get this silly
"hopped up" on "happy pills" idea!


> However, I do believe their to be forms or severe depression that do need
> medical attention. I do not believe the amount of people on meds fit into this
> group.

I have no idea what that last sentence means?

Tono

"Tono" <tono1@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:nJfpc.62186$wY.14264@nwrdny03.gnilink.net...
> Christine wrote:


> > However, I do believe their to be forms or severe depression that do
need
> > medical attention. I do not believe the amount of people on meds fit
into this
> > group.
>
> I have no idea what that last sentence means?
>
> Tono

I believe that maybe she is trying to fit in?
Best,
Gail

Tono wrote:
> Christine wrote:
>
>>> thanks for posting this neuro.....................there
is more and
>>> more research being done, now that DEPRESSION, THE
DISEASE is
>>> getting the attention that it deserves.
>>
>>
>> So much so that they have little kids hopped up on
anti-depressants.
>
> LOL! I just love that old expression "hopped up on...".
My anti
> depressant doesn't "hop me up" at all. It does help keep
me from
> thinking about suicide most of the time like I used to.
>
>
>> Everyone is depressed at some point - taking pills and
not working
>> through it is an easy out, IMO.
>
> Yes, the commercials on TV for anti depressants disgust
me! They
> say something like "if you have been depressed for two
weeks or
> more..." Well who the hell hasn't ever been depressed for
two weeks
> or more? Anyone? That is what makes it all sound bad for
someone
> like me, who happened to have severe depression for over
35 years.
> I tell someone I'm on an anti depressant and they get this
silly
> "hopped up" on "happy pills" idea!
>


Yeah, having had diagnosed severe depression for about 40
years before being conned into taking anti depressants, I
too know from experience it would be more accurately called
fogged down on happy pills.

Bob

: Christine wrote:
..
: >
: >
: > So much so that they have little kids hopped up on
anti-depressants.
:


"Tono" <tono1@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:nJfpc.62186$wY.14264@nwrdny03.gnilink.net...

: LOL! I just love that old expression "hopped up on...". My anti
: depressant doesn't "hop me up" at all. It does help keep me from
: thinking about suicide most of the time like I used to.
:
:
:

tono,
i sure would like to know what medication in the antidepressant
class is the one that HOPS folks UP!


rosie

"Gail" <sweetpawprints_920@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:10ab2ndga3vnsa8@corp.supernews.com...
:
: "Tono" <tono1@verizon.net> wrote in message
: news:nJfpc.62186$wY.14264@nwrdny03.gnilink.net...
: > Christine wrote:
:
:
: > > However, I do believe their to be forms or severe depression
that do
: need
: > > medical attention. I do not believe the amount of people on
meds fit
: into this
: > > group.
: >
: > I have no idea what that last sentence means?
: >
: > Tono
:
: I believe that maybe she is trying to fit in?
: Best,
: Gail
:
:


LOL!