Genetic contributions to suicide

ARTICLES:

(1) "Suicide attempts and the tryptophan hydroxylase gene"

Authors: M Abbar, P Courtet, F Bellivier, M Leboyer, JP Boulenger, D Castelnau, M Ferreira, C Lambercy, D Mouthon, A Paoloni-Giacobino, M Vessuz, A Malafosse, C Buresi

Department of Psychiatry, Car�meau Hospital, Nimes, France; Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Lapeyronie Hospital and University Department of Psychiatry, La Colombi�re Hospital Montpellier, France; Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Hospitals, Cr�teil, France; Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland

A specific genetic vulnerability for suicidal behavior is strongly suggested by the results of epidemiological genetics studies. Several lines of evidence suggest that regulation of serotonin neurotransmission is a key factor for this vulnerability. Recent studies have investigated the involvement of the gene coding for the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin biosynthesis, in the genetic susceptibility to suicidal behavior. In this case-control study, the authors investigated seven polymorphisms spanning the entire TPH gene in 231 suicide attempters and 281 controls. Significant associations were found between variants within the 3' noncoding region and suicide attempt. The association was strongest for subjects who had attempted suicide by violent means and who had a history of major depression. The results presented here, and those of previous studies, suggest that a genetic variant of the 3' part of the TPH gene may be a susceptibility factor for a phenotype combining suicidal behavior, mood disorder and impulsive aggression.

Citation source: Molecular Psychiatry 2001 Volume 6, number 3, pages 268-273.

(2) "Association between violent suicidal behavior and the low activity allele of the serotonin transporter gene"

Authors: P Courtet, P Baud, M Abbar, JP Boulenger, D Castelnau, D Mouthon, A Malafosse, C Buresi

Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Lapeyronie Hospital and University Department of Psychiatry, La Colombi�re Hospital Montpellier, France; Department of Psychiatry, Car�meau Hospital, Nimes, France; Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland

There is compelling evidence that serotonin system dysfunction is associated with suicidal behavior. Some data suggest that this association is stronger with violent suicidal behavior. The genetic susceptibility to suicidal behavior may involve a functional polymorphism (S/L alleles) in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene. The S allele of this gene has been found to be associated with a lower level of expression of the gene and lower leve]s of 5-HT uptake. The authors genotyped 51 violent suicide attempters and 139 controls with no history of suicidal behavior, both from West European Caucasian origin. The frequencies of the S allele and the SS genotype were significantly higher in the violent suicide attempters than in the controls. The odds ratio for the SS genotype vs the LL genotype was 3.63 (95% CI (l.Z7-10.40)). Together with previous reports, the present finding suggests that a change in expression of the gene encoding the 5-HT transporter may be involved in violent suicide behavior.

Citation source: Molecular Psychiatry 2001 Volume 6, number 3, pages 338-341.

For further information on both articles, please contact Dr. Philipe Courtet, Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Lapeyronie Hospital, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France; Tel: 33-467-33-89-88; Fax: 33-467-33-89-95; e-mail: [email protected]

Molecular Psychiatry is published by the Nature Publishing Group. http://www.nature.com/mp

Editor: Julio Licinio, M.D.; phone: 1-310-206-6207; FAX: 1-310-825-6407; e-mail: [email protected] Editorial assistant: Ms. Ava Martin; phone: 1-310-206-6739; FAX: 1-310-825-6407; e-mail: [email protected]

For a copy of this article, please contact Ms. Martin.

PLEASE CITE MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY AS THE SOURCE OF THIS MATERIAL.