Abstract
This study was intended to assess the extent to which the low-expression allele of the serotonin transporter gene promoter predicts better response to exposure-based behavior therapy in patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). Ninety-nine patients with PDA underwent a 1-week in vivo exposure-based behavior therapy program and provided saliva samples to extract genomic DNA and classify individuals according to four allelic forms (S-A, S-G, L-A, L-G) of the 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR). We determined whether the 5-HTTLPR genotype predicted change in avoidance behavior in PDA following treatment. After controlling for pre-treatment avoidance behavior, the 5-HTTLPR low-expression genotypes showed a more favorable response to exposure therapy two weeks following treatment, compared to the other patients. This study suggests a genetic contribution to treatment outcome following behavior therapy and implicates the serotonergic system in response to exposure-based treatments in PDA.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1222-1228 |
Journal | European Neuropsychopharmacology |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2014 |
Keywords
- Behavior therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Genetics
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Serotonin