Non-replication of the association between 5HTTLPR and response to psychological therapy for child anxiety disorders

Lester, K. J., Roberts, S., Keers, R., Coleman, J. R.I., Breen, G., Wong, C. C.Y., Xu, X., Arendt, K., Blatter-Meunier, J., Bogels, S., Cooper, P., Creswell, C., Heiervang, E. R., Herren, C., Hogendoorn, S. M., Hudson, J. L., Krause, K., Lyneham, H. J., McKinnon, A., Morris, T., Nauta, M. H., Rapee, R. M., Rey, Y., Schneider, S., Schneider, S. C., Silverman, W. K., Smith, P., Thastum, M., Thirlwall, K., Waite, P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1967-8028, Wergeland, G. J. and Eley, T. C. (2016) Non-replication of the association between 5HTTLPR and response to psychological therapy for child anxiety disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry, 208 (2). pp. 182-188. ISSN 1472-1465 doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.154997

Abstract/Summary

Background We previously reported an association between 5HTTLPR genotype and outcome following cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) in child anxiety (Cohort 1). Children homozygous for the low-expression short-allele showed more positive outcomes. Other similar studies have produced mixed results, with most reporting no association between genotype and CBT outcome. Aims To replicate the association between 5HTTLPR and CBT outcome in child anxiety from the Genes for Treatment study (GxT Cohort 2, n = 829). Method Logistic and linear mixed effects models were used to examine the relationship between 5HTTLPR and CBT outcomes. Mega-analyses using both cohorts were performed. Results There was no significant effect of 5HTTLPR on CBT outcomes in Cohort 2. Mega-analyses identified a significant association between 5HTTLPR and remission from all anxiety disorders at follow-up (odds ratio 0.45, P = 0.014), but not primary anxiety disorder outcomes. Conclusions The association between 5HTTLPR genotype and CBT outcome did not replicate. Short-allele homozygotes showed more positive treatment outcomes, but with small, non-significant effects. Future studies would benefit from utilising whole genome approaches and large, homogenous samples.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/39176
Identification Number/DOI	10.1192/bjp.bp.114.154997
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Development Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Psychopathology and Affective Neuroscience Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Anxiety and Depression in Young People (AnDY)
Publisher	Royal College of Psychiatrists
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