Interactive Effects of the Serotonin Transporter 5-HTTLPR Polymorphism and Stressful Life Events on College Student Drinking and Drug UseBiological Psychiatry
Volume 61, Issue 5 , 1 March 2007, Pages 609-616
Jonathan Covaulta,
Howard Tennena, b, , Email: tennen@nso1.uchc.edu
Stephen Armelic,
Tamlin S. Connera,
Aryeh I. Hermana,
Antonius H.N. Cillessend and
Henry R. Kranzlera
aDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
bDepartment of Community Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
cDepartment of Psychology, Pace University, New York, New York
dDepartment of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
Background
A common functional polymorphism, 5-HTTLPR, in the serotonin transporter gene has been associated with heavy drinking in college students. We examined this polymorphism as it interacted with negative life events to predict drinking and drug use in college students.
Methods
Daily reports of drinking and drug use obtained using a daily web-based survey were combined with self-reports of past-year negative life events and 5-HTTLPR genotypes in a regression analysis of alcohol and nonprescribed drug use in a sample of 295 college students.
Results
Genotype and negative life events significantly interacted in relation to drinking and drug use outcomes. Individuals homozygous for the short (s) allele who experienced multiple negative life events in the prior year reported more frequent drinking and heavy drinking, stronger intentions to drink, and greater nonprescribed drug use. In individuals homozygous for the long (l) allele, drinking and drug use were unaffected by past-year negative life events. Heterozygous subjects showed drinking outcomes that were intermediate to the two homozygous groups.
Conclusions
The 5-HTTLPR s-allele is associated with increased drinking and drug use among college students who have experienced multiple negative life events. The s-allele carriers may be at risk for a variety of adverse behavioral outcomes in response to stress.
