Genetics and Health

SERT Gene and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on April 4th, 2006

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been portrayed on almost every television drama I can think of. In fact, the main character Monk in the show of the same name manages to solve mysteries while dealing with his OCD-related phobias. This shows how common the disorder is. In the U.S. 1 in 50 adults has OCD at this moment while twice as many may have had transient episode(s) sometime in their life.

OCD may result from a a deficiency in serotonin levels so some drugs target the reuptake of serotonin (serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRIs) in order to increase the amount of the neurotransmitter available. The serotonin transporter (SERT) is involved at the site of serotonin reuptake and the gene that encodes SERT has a number of variants.

One new variant in the L allele, LA, has recently been linked with increases in SERT activity. This increase results in a reduction in serotonin levels and may trigger OCD, depression, and other anxiety disorders.

• OCD patients were twice as likely to have the LA variant
• LA variant was twice as likely to be transmitted from a parent to a child with OCD

OCD is an extremely complicated disorder with a number of causes both physiological and psychological. If you need more information, visit the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation.

Medical News Today, April 2, 2006
Tip from Dr. Deborah Serani.

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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease