Sleep quality varies as a function of 5-HTTLPR genotype and stress.
Journal Article
OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that allelic variation in 5HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) genotype was associated with sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) as a main effect and as moderated by the chronic stress of caregiving. Serotonin (5HT) is involved in sleep regulation and the 5HT transporter (5HTT) regulates 5HT function. A common 44-base pair deletion (s allele) polymorphism in the 5-HTTLPR is associated with reduced 5HTT transcription efficiency and 5HT uptake in vitro. METHODS: Subjects were 142 adult primary caregivers for a spouse or parent with dementia and 146 noncaregiver controls. Subjects underwent genotyping and completed the PSQI. RESULTS: Variation in 5-HTTLPR genotype was not related to sleep quality as a main effect (p > .36). However, there was a caregiver X 5-HTTLPR interaction (p < .009), such that the s allele was associated with poorer sleep quality in caregivers as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the s allele may moderate sleep disturbance in response to chronic stress.
Full Text
Duke Authors
- Ashley-Koch, Allison Elizabeth
- Brummett, Beverly H.
- Gwyther, Lisa Pepper
- Krystal, Andrew Darrell
- Kuhn, Cynthia Moreton
- Siegler, Ilene C.
- Williams Jr., Redford B.
Cited Authors
- Brummett, BH; Krystal, AD; Ashley-Koch, A; Kuhn, CM; Züchner, S; Siegler, IC; Barefoot, JC; Ballard, EL; Gwyther, LP; Williams, RB
Published Date
- September 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 69 / 7
Start / End Page
- 621 - 624
PubMed ID
- 17766685
Pubmed Central ID
- 17766685
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1534-7796
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/PSY.0b013e31814b8de6
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States