Association between resilience and a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene: A meta-analysis

Authors

  • Yeimy González-Giraldo Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. Telephone number: + 57 313 493 84 96, E-mail: yeimy.gonzalez@javeriana.edu.co; Center for Psychosocial Studies for Latin America and the Caribbean, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia
  • Diego A. Forero School of Health and Sports Sciences, Fundación Universitaria de Área Andina, Bogotá, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-2660

Keywords:

Resilience, genetics, SLC6A4 gene, 5HTTLPR Polymorphism, meta-analysis

Abstract

Resilience is a mechanism used by humans to adapt to adverse situations. It is a protective factor against mental health problems. This process can be influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Several genes have been associated with interindividual differences in resilience levels, but the results are inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of a functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the SLC6A4 gene on resilience levels. A search in PubMed, HugeNavigator and Google Scholar databases was carried out and 16 studies about the association of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and resilience in humans were identified. The OpenMeta[Analyst] program was employed to perform statistical analysis using a random-effects model. The final analysis included 9 studies, for a total of 4,080 subjects. Significant results were found when the standardized mean differences (SMD) of LL and SL carriers were compared, (SMD: -0.087 (confidence interval: -0.166 to -0.008; I2: 0 %); P value: 0.031). A significant result was also found in an analysis comparing SS/SL versus LL genotypes (SMD: -0.231; confidence interval: -0.400 to -0.061, P value: 0.008; I2: 0 %). This is the first meta-analysis performed to identify the pooled association of a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene and resilience. The current results suggest that the L/L genotype is associated with resilience. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of genetics on the resilience mechanisms.

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Published

2020-08-19

How to Cite

González-Giraldo, Y., & Forero, D. A. (2020). Association between resilience and a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) gene: A meta-analysis. EXCLI Journal, 19, 1174–1183. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-2660

Issue

Vol. 19 (2020)

Section

Original articles

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Yeimy González-Giraldo, Diego A. Forero

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