DNA hypermethylation of serotonin transporter gene promoter in drug naïve patients with schizophrenia

A correlation between reduction in 5-HTT expression and DNA hypermethylation of the 5-HTT promoter in drug naïve SCZ patients suggests that an epigenetically defined hypo-activity of 5-HTT may be linked to SCZ pathogenesis. Furthermore, this epigenetic mark in DNA extracted from saliva can be considered as one of the key determinants in a panel of diagnostic and/or therapeutic biomarkers for SCZ.