No association between the serotonin-1A receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphism rs6295C/G and symptoms of anxiety or depression, and no interaction between the polymorphism and environmental stressors of childhood anxiety or recent stressful life events on anxiety or depression

Background: There are conflicting reports of an association between a common functional single nucleotide polymorphism (rs6295C/G) in the serotonin-1A receptor gene (HTR1A) and psychological disorders. Methods: In our study we investigated associations between this polymorphism and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a population sample of 6445 Caucasians in the age groups 20-24, 40-44, and 60-64 years. We also looked for interactions between the polymorphism and environmental stressors of childhood adversity or recent stressful life events on anxiety and depression. Results: There were no significant associations between the polymorphism and anxiety, depression or associated personality traits in the three age cohorts. There were no significant gene-environment interactions between the polymorphism and either of the environmental stressors on anxiety or depression. Conclusion: We found no associations or gene-environment interactions involving the polymorphism and symptoms of anxiety or depression.