Non-replication of the association between 5HTTLPR and response to psychological therapy for child anxiety disorders

Kathryn J. Lester, Susanna Roberts, Robert Keers, Jonathan R.I. Coleman, Gerome Breen, Chloe C.Y. Wong, Xiaohui Xu, Kristian Arendt, Judith Blatter-Meunier, Susan Bögels, Peter Cooper, Cathy Creswell, Einar R. Heiervang, Chantal Herren, Sanne M. Hogendoorn, Jennifer L. Hudson, Karen Krause, Heidi J. Lyneham, Anna McKinnon, Talia MorrisMaaike H. Nauta, Ronald M. Rapee, Yasmin Rey, Silvia Schneider, Sophie C. Schneider, Wendy K. Silverman, Patrick Smith, Mikael Thastum, Kerstin Thirlwall, Polly Waite, Gro Janne Wergeland, Thalia C. Eley*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    24 Citations (Scopus)
    36 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Background We previously reported an association between 5HTTLPR genotype and outcome following cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in child anxiety (Cohort 1). Children homozygous for the low-expression short-allele showed more positive outcomes. Other similar studies have produced mixed results, with most reporting no association between genotype and CBT outcome. Aims To replicate the association between 5HTTLPR and CBT outcome in child anxiety from the Genes for Treatment study (GxT Cohort 2, n = 829). Method Logistic and linear mixed effects models were used to examine the relationship between 5HTTLPR and CBT outcomes. Mega-analyses using both cohorts were performed. Results There was no significant effect of 5HTTLPR on CBT outcomes in Cohort 2. Mega-analyses identified a significant association between 5HTTLPR and remission from all anxiety disorders at follow-up (odds ratio 0.45, P = 0.014), but not primary anxiety disorder outcomes. Conclusions The association between 5HTTLPR genotype and CBT outcome did not replicate. Short-allele homozygotes showed more positive treatment outcomes, but with small, non-significant effects. Future studies would benefit from utilising whole genome approaches and large, homogenous samples. Declaration of interest R.M.R., J.L.H. and H.J.L. are authors of the Cool Kids programme, but receive no direct payments. C.C. was joint author of a book used in treatment within the Overcoming trial and P.W. was joint editor for a book on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and they receive royalties from sales of the books. W.K.S. is an author of the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children from which she receives royalties.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)182-188
    Number of pages7
    JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
    Volume208
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016

    Bibliographical note

    Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Non-replication of the association between 5HTTLPR and response to psychological therapy for child anxiety disorders'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this