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Possible association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and violent suicidal behavior in mood disorders
F Bellivier1, A Szöke, C Henry
1Service de Psychiatrie Adulte (Pr Rouillon), Hôpital Henri Mondor et Albert Chenevier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France.
Biological Psychiatry
|August 26, 2000
Summary
The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene variant may influence violent suicidal behavior. Further research is needed to confirm this genetic link to suicide attempts.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Serotonin system genes are key in suicidal behavior research.
- The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene regulates serotonin reuptake.
- Investigating 5-HTT as a susceptibility factor for suicidal behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between a 5-HTT gene polymorphism and suicidal behavior.
- To determine if the 5-HTT gene influences the risk of suicide attempts.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study of 237 patients with affective disorder and 187 controls.
- Analyzed the 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) functional polymorphism.
- Assessed history of suicide attempts, including violent attempts.
Main Results:
- No association found between the 's' allele of 5-HTTLPR and general suicide attempts.
- Significant difference in allele distributions between violent attempters and controls.
- Suggests a potential genetic predisposition to violent suicidal behavior.
Conclusions:
- A specific genetic variant of the 5-HTT gene may predispose individuals to violent suicidal behavior.
- The exact phenotype linked to the 5-HTT gene requires further clarification.
- Replication of findings in additional studies is necessary.