Serotonin Transporter gene and substance use: a meta-analysis

• In Event: Perspectives on Life Course and Genetic Issues in Crime and Substance Use

Abstract

Substance use and dependence is highly detrimental to the health and well-being of users, despite its high prevalence in the population. While a number of sociological perspectives have been advanced in an attempt to explain the prevalence and frequency of use and dependence, only recently has technology been developed to allow broad research perspectives to examine the genetic underpinnings. Several independent researchers have examined the role that variation in the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) may play in explaining this variance resulting in a number of mixed findings. Previous meta-analytic approaches to the synthesis of this material have been largely limited in their scope of searching and inclusion criteria. The current study seeks to synthesize this broad body of literature conducted beyond the medical field to include publications presented in other fields of study. Four online databases were searched resulting in 15 publications included in the current study. Results suggested that there is not a significant association between 5-HTTLPR and alcohol dependence. Models assessing the association between 5-HTTLPR and drug dependence were also not statistically significant. These findings suggest that future studies need adopt standardized reporting requirements and implement more complex research designs than have been previously employed.

Authors

• Jun Wu, Sam Houston State University

• Jessica Wells, Sam Houston State University

• Ahram Cho, Sam Houston State University

• Alexander Updegrove, Sam Houston State University