Efficacy of exercise in reducing depressive symptoms across serotonin transporter genotypes.

Rethorst and colleagues examined the antidepressant effects of 5 weeks exercise in college students. Exercise resulted in a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to the control (no exercise) group. The results varied with serotonin transporter genotype. Subjects with at least one l allele showed greater reductions in depressive symptoms after exercise compared with ss genotype individuals. The authors concluded that the effects of exercise on depressive symptoms appear to be moderated by serotonin transporter genotype and that mechanisms responsible for the alleviation of depressive symptoms are similar for exercise and SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) treatment. They suggest that serotonin transporter genotype should be a factor in determining the type of therapeutic intervention.

Rethorst CD, Landers DM, Nagoshi CT, Ross JT. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 42:2141-2147 (2010).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20351589