Yang K, Su J, Hu Z, Lang R, Sun X, Li X, Wang D, Wei M, Yin J. Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to epilepsy: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2013;
17:890-7. [PMID:
24093801 DOI:
10.1089/gtmb.2013.0341]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS
Serotonin transporter (5-HTT) plays a central role in the regulation of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) synaptic function. Disturbances in 5-HT transmission are the most frequently reported neurobiological substrates of suicidal behavior. Emerging evidence has shown that the common polymorphisms in the 5-HTT gene may contribute to the risk of epilepsy, but individually published studies showed inconclusive results. This meta-analysis aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the associations between 5-HTT gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to epilepsy.
METHODS
A literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China BioMedicine (CBM) databases was conducted on articles published before June 1st, 2013. Crude odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
RESULTS
Seven studies were assessed with a total 1303 epilepsy patients and 1288 healthy controls. The meta-analysis results indicated that there was no significant relationship between 5-HTT gene polymorphisms and an increased risk of epilepsy. Further subgroup analysis based on ethnicity also found no significant association between 5-HTT gene polymorphisms and epilepsy risk among both Caucasian and Asian populations. In addition, there was also no significant association between 5-HTT gene polymorphisms and the risk of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with epilepsy.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the current meta-analysis indicates that 5-HTT gene polymorphisms might not be the primary determinants of epilepsy susceptibility. 5-HTT genes might be expected to interact with other genes in different signaling pathways to initiate and promote the epileptogenic process.
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