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TPH1 is associated with major depressive disorder but not with SSRI/SNRI response in Taiwanese patients

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Abstract

Rationale

Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), which encodes the rate-limiting enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase in the biosynthesis of serotonin, is a candidate gene in the development and treatment response of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, its actual role is uncertain.

Objectives

We aimed to compare the allele frequencies of TPH1 in MDD patients and healthy controls in Taiwan, and also to investigate the association between TPH1 A218C and treatment response to either fluoxetine or venlafaxine in a Taiwanese population with MDD.

Methods

One hundred five healthy controls and 115 outpatients diagnosed with MDD were recruited and genotyped for the TPH1 218A/C (rs1800532) polymorphism. Patients were randomized into either the fluoxetine or venlafaxine treatment group. The 21-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) was administered to evaluate depressive symptoms at baseline and bi-weekly over 6 weeks of treatment.

Results

The TPH1 218A/C allele frequencies differed significantly between healthy controls and MDD patients in Taiwan, with a higher prevalence of the A allele in the patient group (p = 0.025). The odds ratio of the A allele to the C allele was 0.507 for the subjects with MDD. There was no significant correlation between the percentage change in HAM-D score and either TPH1 218A/C genotype or TPH1 allele frequencies.

Conclusions

This study indicated that the TPH1 218A/C genotype and allele frequencies differed between the Taiwanese healthy controls and MDD patients but could not be used to predict treatment outcome in Taiwanese MDD patients. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm the role of TPH1 218A/C.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Department of Health, Taiwan (DOH98-TD-D-113-96002) to fund this research.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Hospital and College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    Hsuan-Chi Wang, Tzung Lieh Yeh, Yen Kuang Yang, Ru-Band Lu & Po See Chen

  2. Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    Hui Hua Chang

  3. Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    Po Wu Gean

  4. Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    Ru-Band Lu

  5. National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan

    Mei Hung Chi & Po See Chen

  6. Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

    Hsuan-Chi Wang

  7. Department of Psychiatry, Hospital and College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng Li Road, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan

    Po See Chen

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  1. Hsuan-Chi Wang
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Correspondence to Po See Chen.

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Wang, HC., Yeh, T.L., Chang, H.H. et al. TPH1 is associated with major depressive disorder but not with SSRI/SNRI response in Taiwanese patients. Psychopharmacology 213, 773–779 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-010-2034-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-010-2034-1

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