The effects of a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor gene polymorphism on the clinical response to fluvoxamine in depressed patients

We investigated the effects of a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor gene polymorphism on the clinical response to fluvoxamine (FLV) in 65 depressed outpatients who gave written consent to participate in the study. Patients visited every 2 weeks after the first examination until the week 12 end point and were evaluated by the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17) at each visit. FLV dose was changed in response to their clinical symptoms. The Gly272Asp polymorphism of the 5-HT1A receptor gene was identified by a PCR method. The subjects with the Asp allele had a significantly higher % reduction in the HAM-D-17 score than those with the Gly/Gly genotype at week 2 (P = 0.009), week 6 (P = 0.036), and week 12 (P = 0.031). There was a significant difference in the genotype distribution between the responders and nonresponders. These results suggest that the Gly272Asp polymorphism of the 5-HT1A receptor gene may predict the response to FLV.