A Gender-Specific Association between the Serotonin Transporter Gene and Suicide Attempts

Abstract

This pilot study tested the gender-specificity of the association between suicide attempts and a polymorphism in the promoter area of the serotonin transporter with two allelic variants, a long (1) variant and a short (s) variant. In aSuicide attempts, in more than 90% of the cases, are associated with mental disorders. Vulnerability to suicide is probably best understood in the context of Mann's model of stress-diathesis (Mann et al. 1999). Low brain serotonergic function appears to be undeniably related to suicidal behavior across different psychiatric diagnoses and within specific psychiatric diagnoses (Mann et al. 1999).Growing evidence indicates that genetic factors contribute to suicide risk. Moreover, familial and adoption studies suggest that it appears to be transmitted as a trait independent of Axis I and II disorders. A recent study suggested that genetic factors account for 45% of the variance in suicidal behavior, and more importantly can be detected after correcting for psychiatric diagnosis, traumatic events, personality traits, and religious affiliations (Statham et al. 1998).The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is one of the major genes known to influence serotonergic transmission. It was mapped to the chromosome 17q11.1-q12. In the promoter area, there are two allelic variants, a long (l) variant and a short (s) variant. In vitro studies show that the "l" allele has two to three times higher basal transcriptional activity.

Association Study of Serotonin Transporter Gene VNTR Polymorphism and Mood Disorders, Onset Age and Suicide Attempts in a Chinese Sample

“…It was demonstrated that the frequencies of the 5-HTTVNTR genotypes were not associated with the presence of suicidal history. Although, to our knowledge, no association study of suicidal behavior and the 5-HTTVNTR polymorphism has been reported, a positive association has been demonstrated between 5-HTTLPR and suicidal behavior in a number of investigations of another 5-HTT polymorphism [e.g., 35,36], albeit not all [e.g., 37,38].…”

Serotonin Transporter: A Potential Substrate in the Biology of Suicide

“…Seven of these studies failed to demonstrate any link between suicidal behavior and SERT genotype or 5-HTTLPR allele frequency (Ohara et al, 1998;Chong et al, 2000;Geijer et al, 2000;Ho et al, 2000;Mann et al, 2000;Fitch et al, 2001;Rujescu et al, 2001). The remaining seven studies all found some association, albeit with differing results (Du et al, 1999;Bellivier et al, 2000;Bondy et al, 2000;Gorwood et al, 2000;Russ et al, 2000;Courtet et al, 2001;Baca-Garcia et al, 2002). One study demonstrated a higher frequency of the l allele in depressed suicide victims compared to nonsuicidal controls (Du et al, 1999).…”

Dimensions of suicidal behavior according to patient reports

“…The internal consistency of the planning subscale was somewhat lower, α = 0.71 for the first sample and α = 0.69 for the second sample (α = 0.70 for the combined sample). Table 4 shows that the scores of the total SIS and expected lethality subscale were significantly higher in the [2] 0.19 0.57 Precautions [3] 0.21 0.52 Act to get help [4] 0.46 0.07 Final acts [5] -0.10 0.52 Active preparation [6] 0.04 0.72 Note [7] -0.04 0.58 Communication [8] -0.09 0.44 Purpose of attempt [9] 0.71 -0.03 Expectations of fatality [10] 0.84 -0.04 Concept of lethality [11] 0.79 -0.03 Seriousness [12] 0.82 0.05 Ambivalence to living [13] 0.71 0.04 Concept of rescuability [14] 0.65 -0.01 Degree of premeditation [15] 0.24 0.50 * Loadings greater than 0.4 are underlined.…”