The associations between 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of SLC6A4 gene and autistic disorder in North West of Iran

The serotonin transporter protein (SLC6A4) transports the neurotransmitter serotonin from synapses to presynaptic neurons. The serotonin system has been studied in many behavioural and physiological conditions. Variation of SLC6A4 gene is known to modulate its expression. In this study, the association of various alleles of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of SLC6A4 gene with Autistic disorder was investigated.

In this study 78 samples of patients with Autistic disorder and 100 healthy controls from Iranian Azeri Turkish population were recruite. 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms were genotyped by Long Range PCR method.

All statistical analyses showed no significant correlation of the genotyps and alleleles of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of SLC6A4 gene between case and control gropes (P> 0.05).

This study revealed there is no association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the SLC6A4 gene and autistic disorders in the northwest of the Iranian population