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Several studies have suggested that a serotonin transporter (SERT) gene promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism mediates the interaction of childhood maltreatment, stressful life events, and depression. The short (s) allele, which results in a less efficient serotonin transporter than the long (l) allele, seemed to be associated with a greater risk for depression. However, two meta-analyses found no statistical significance for this association. These meta-analyses excluded many studies because of limited access to raw data and widely varying study methodologies. Therefore, the authors of the current meta-analysis used another technique.
After identifying 54 studies involving 40,749 subjects, the authors used the Liptak-Stouffer z score meth…