SLC6A3 and major depressive disorder: 2022). Our findings link this gene to both BD and MDD, supported by evidence showing reduced DAT levels in MDD and polymorphic variations such as Glu602Gly that increase BD risk (Reith et al. 2022). However, preclinical studies showing protective effects of DAT knockdown on anxiety suggest complex, possibly compensatory dynamics between gene expression and disease states (Bahi and Dreyer 2019, Perona et al. 2008, Pizzagalli et al. 2019).