Genetics of suicide
Abstract
The concept that genetic factors contribute to the complex trait of suicidal behaviour has stimulated much work aimed at identifying susceptibility genes. So far molecular genetic studies focused on the serotonergic pathway as the intent to die and the lethality of suicide acts were related to the serotonergic system. Two genes have so far emerged as being involved in the vulnerability for suicidality: first, the intronic polymorphisms (A218C or A779C) of the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) gene, which was suggested as a quantitative risk factor for suicidal behaviour; second, the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR), which does not seem to be involved in general suicidal behaviour, but in violent and repeated suicide attempts. The data have further shown that the MAOA gene, which is consistently associated with impulsive-aggressive personality traits, is not related to suicide but might induce violent methods in subjects with other suicide risk factors. Predominantly negative were the findings with any type of the serotonin receptors and inconsistent with catecholamine-synthesizing and -metabolizing enzymes or with the dopaminergic receptors. This paper reviews the status of current knowledge in this area, points to the weakness of the investigations and presents new approaches beyond the serotonergic system.
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Lithium's antisuicidal effect might be mediated by decreased aggression or impulsivity.
“which might be another mechanism mediating the antisuicidal effect.”
From Lithium in the prevention of suicide in mood disorders: updated systematic review and meta-analysis (2013) · cites this paper as [35]
There is some evidence that lithium decreases aggression and possibly impulsivity.
“because there is some evidence that lithium decreases aggression and possibly impulsivity”
From Lithium in the prevention of suicide in mood disorders: updated systematic review and meta-analysis (2013) · cites this paper as [35]
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- Authors
- Bondy, B., Buettner, A., & Zill, P.
- Affiliations
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Bondy, B
- ORCID
- Zill, P
- Venue
- Molecular Psychiatry
- Published
- 2006-02-07
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 336-351
- ISSN
- 1359-4184 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5578
- OpenAlex
- W2068500609
- Cited by
- 319
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 4.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Molecular Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Keywords
- suicidal behavior, susceptibility genes, serotonergic system, tryptophan hydroxylase 1, serotonin transporter gene, 5-HTTLPR, MAOA gene, serotonin receptors, catecholamine metabolism, dopamine receptors, suicide attempts, violent suicide methods
- MeSH terms
- Mental Disorders, Brain Chemistry, Genetics, Behavioral, Humans, Monoamine Oxidase, Pedigree, Receptors, Serotonin, Suicide, Tryptophan Hydroxylase, Self-Injurious Behavior, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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