ASSOCIATION OF THE SLC6A4 (5HTTLPR-VNTR) SNP AND SEROTONIN LEVELS IN THE SEVERITY OF DEPRESSION IN THREE GEO-POLITICAL ZONES IN NIGERIANS.
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent and debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide, with profound implications for both individual well-being and public health. The SLC6A4 gene, responsible for serotonin transporter regulation, has been implicated in depression. However, the relationship between SLC6A4 gene variants, serotonin levels, and depression severity in Nigerian patients remains unexplored. This study investigated the association between gene-environmental factors, serum serotonin on depression severity in Nigerian patients. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health with approval number: NHREC/01/01/2007-01/09/2024. A case-control study was conducted, 164 participants, 73 with depression and 91 healthy controls were recruited. 10 mls of blood samples were collected from all participants, after consent was given, two questionnaires were issued and enrolment characteristics were recorded. qPCR genotyping of SLC6A4 gene variants, rs6354, serum serotonin was estimated by ELISA kits. The results show that SLC6A4 long or short alleles were not present in this population. rs6354 played a role in severe depression (p=0.035). Significantly levels of reduced serum serotonin levels (p=
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.