Potential studies were identified from previous meta-analyses and review articles and through PubMed at the National Library of Medicine, using the search terms (depression OR depressed) AND (“serotonin transporter” OR 5-HTTLPR) AND (stress OR stressful OR maltreatment)3, 4, 9. We subsequently checked the reference sections of the identified publications and reviews found and contacted authors through email to identify additional studies in press or review. We considered all English language studies published by March 2010 assessing whether 5-HTTLPR moderates the relationship between either stressful life events, childhood maltreatment or specific stressors and depression. Two studies were excluded because their data was part of another, larger study included in the analysis14, 57. In total, data from 54 publications met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis.
