Phobic anxiety in late-life in relationship to cognition and 5HTTLPR polymorphism

Abstract

Anxiety in late-life may functionally impair the older adult. In this study the polymorphic region 5HTTLPR of the SLC6A4 gene was examined in relation to phobic anxiety and cognitive function. Sixty-four community-dwelling older adults were genotyped for the 5HTTLPR polymorphism to examine whether late-life phobias are associated with the short (s) allele and whether cognitive impairment may precipitate phobic behaviors in association with the s allele. Our findings suggested that phobic anxiety symptoms are significantly related to lower cognitive function. However, in this sample we did not detect a significant association between phobic anxiety and the 5HTTLPR genotype. The interaction between age-related changes in cognition and anxiety remain an important area for future studies.