The 5HTTLPR polymorphism, prior maltreatment and dramatic-erratic personality manifestations in women with bulimic syndromes.

BACKGROUND

Low-function alleles of the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5HTTLPR) have been linked to various psychopathological entities, especially in individuals exposed to prior stressors. In women with bulimic syndromes, we explored associations with personality pathology of 5HTTLPR and prior sexual or physical maltreatment.

METHODS

Ninety-two women with bulimic syndromes were genotyped for 5HTTLPR short (S) and long (L(G) and L(A)) alleles and were then assessed for eating symptoms, dimensional personality disturbances, history of sexual or physical abuse and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

RESULTS

With a classification based on a biallelic model of 5HTTLPR (i.e., presence or absence of at least 1 S-allele copy), multiple regression analyses indicated significant proportions of variance in stimulus seeking and insecure attachment to be explained by abuse x genotype interaction effects, with greater psychopathology always occurring in S-allele carriers who had been abused. Likewise, a logistic regression analysis linked BPD to significant main effects of genotype and abuse. Analyses that aggregated carriers according to a triallelic model of 5HTTLPR (i.e., presence or absence of at least 1 copy of a presumably low-function S or LG allele) produced similar patterns but no statistically significant effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Traits such as sensation seeking and insecure attachment are, on average, elevated in 5HTTLPR S-allele carriers with bulimic syndromes who report prior physical or sexual maltreatment. These results add to the literature associating pronounced psychopathological manifestations, with conjoint effects of stress and the 5HTTLPR polymorphism.