Therapygenetic effects of 5-HTTLPR on cognitive-behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis

M.A. Schiele*, A. Reif, J.X. Lin, G.W. Alpers, E. Andersson, G. Andersson, V. Arolt, J. Bergstrom, P. Carlbring, T.C. Eley, G. Esquivel, T. Furmark, A.L. Gerlach, A. Hamm, S. Helbig-Lang, J.L. Hudson, T. Lang, K.J. Lester, N. Lindefors, T.B. LonsdorfP. Pauli, J. Richter, W. Rief, S. Roberts, C. Ruck, K.R.J. Schruers, C. Thiel, H.U. Wittchen, K. Domschke, H. Weber, U. Lueken

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

There is a recurring debate on the role of the serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) in the moderation of response to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in anxiety disorders. Results, however, are still inconclusive. We here aim to perform a meta-analysis on the role of 5-HTTLPR in the moderation of CBT outcome in anxiety disorders. We investigated both categorical (symptom reduction of at least 50%) and dimensional outcomes from baseline to post-treatment and follow-up. Original data were obtained from ten independent samples (including three unpublished samples) with a total of 2,195 patients with primary anxiety disorder. No significant effects of 5-HTTLPR genotype on categorical or dimensional outcomes at post and follow-up were detected. We conclude that current evidence does not support the hypothesis of 5-HTTLPR as a moderator of treatment outcome for CBT in anxiety disorders. Future research should address whether other factors such as long-term changes or epigenetic processes may explain further variance in these complex gene-environment interactions and molecular-genetic pathways that may confer behavioral change following psychotherapy. Crown Copyright (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-120
Number of pages16
JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2021

Keywords

  • CBT
  • Panic disorder
  • Serotonin transporter gene
  • Therapy outcome
  • Therapygenetics
  • Treatment response
  • cbt
  • panic disorder
  • serotonin transporter gene
  • therapy outcome
  • therapygenetics
  • treatment response
  • DEPRESSION
  • ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION
  • PANIC DISORDER
  • CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
  • SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER GENE
  • PROMOTER POLYMORPHISM 5-HTTLPR
  • TREATMENT RESPONSE
  • STRESS
  • ASSOCIATION
  • LIFE EVENTS

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Therapygenetic effects of 5-HTTLPR on cognitive-behavioral therapy in anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this