The minor allele of the serotonin transporter gene variant rs4251417 is associated with increased resilience in soldiers experiencing acute stress during survival training: preliminary findings

Background: Variation in cognitive, emotional and physical performance in response to stress is attributable to environmental and genetic factors. Ability to adapt to stress is resilience.

Objectives: This study investigated genetic factors associated with resilience in soldiers exposed to severe stress due to intense physical and mental demands at Survive, Evade, Resist and Escape school, a unique environment to study acute stress and resiliency in real-world circumstances.

Design: A preliminary correlational study was conducted to identify genetic markers for resilience to stress.

Methods: Mood state, resiliency and dissociative state of 73 soldiers were assessed using: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC); Profile of Mood States (POMS); and Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS). Change scores for resilience-related stress markers were computed; 116 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with stress, depression, anxiety, sleep, or psychiatric disorders were assessed.

Results: A significant association between change in CD-RISC score and SNP rs4251417, present in an intron of SLC6A4, the serotonin transporter gene, was observed.

Conclusions: Individuals with the minor allele of SNP rs4251417 had a greater positive change in CD-RISC, indicating increased self-assessed resilience. This study suggests the minor allele of SNP rs4251417 of SLC6A4 is associated with resilience when individuals are exposed to high stress.