Abstract #0313

Kugel H, Ohrmann P, Kersting A, Heindel W, Arolt V, Bauer J, Deckert J, Suslow T, Dannlowski U, Hohoff C, Baune B

Polymorphisms of genes involved in serotonergic neurotransmission, e.g., the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) and the serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A) gene, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. From studies in healthy controls it was suggested that the genes effect might be mediated via dysfunctional amygdala activity, a brain structure critical for emotion processing. The data of this study suggest that in patients with major depression, amygdala excitability in response to emotionally relevant stimuli is influenced by the 5HT1A-1019C/G and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism.