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Japanese Cohort Study Identifies an Association Between the Serotonin Transporter-Linked Polymorphic Region and
Shohei Okada1, Toshiyuki Shirai1, Masao Miyachi1
1Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
Neuropsychopharmacology Reports
|April 13, 2026
Summary
The serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) S allele was associated with suicide death in a Japanese population. This genetic finding may help understand suicide risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicide is a major global public health issue, particularly in Asian populations.
- Dysregulation of the serotonin system is linked to suicide risk.
- The SLC6A4 gene's 5-HTTLPR polymorphism influences serotonin transporter levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and suicide death.
- To analyze the largest Asian cohort to date for this genetic association.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 448 suicide decedents and 361 controls from Japan using PCR.
- Evaluation of genotype- and allele-level associations with suicide.
- Meta-analysis incorporating previous studies.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in 5-HTTLPR genotype and allele distributions between suicide decedents and controls were observed (S allele: OR=1.62).
- Associations remained significant across subgroups (sex, age, method) and in matched analyses.
- A meta-analysis did not reveal a significant overall association.
Conclusions:
- The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may be associated with suicide death in the Japanese population.
- Findings contribute to understanding the biological basis of suicide risk.
- Further research in diverse populations is recommended.
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