Whether you're a longtime subscriber, using a trial subscription, or just have questions about our service, we're here to help.
The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) is considered as a candidate gene for BPD as multiple lines of evidence have suggested that it plays an important role in suicide, impulsive behaviour, and emotional liability.ompared with healthy controls, patients with BPD showed higher frequencies of the 10 repeat of the VNTR marker and the S-10 haplotype, and fewer 12 repeat and L A -12 haplotype. These results suggest that the serotonin transporter gene may play a role in the aetiology of BPD.
Both the long and short copies of the gene are functioning, says Hamer. However, the short version appears to result in less of the serotonin transporter, and thus less serotonin activity. Meanwhile, other studies suggest that another gene, DRD4, may also play a role in traits such as shyness and anxiety.