Serotonin transporter genotype, salivary cortisol, neuroticism and life events: Impact on subsequent psychopathology in healthy twins at high and low risk for affective disorder

Cortisol levels alone do not increase the risk of onset of psychiatric illness but the interaction of a lower cortisol level and the experience of more LEs do. The 5-HTTLPR genotype seems to interact and contribute to increased stress vulnerability in combination with other stress indicators of illness thereby adding to the risk of subsequent psychopathology.