The 2009 Nobel conference on the role of genetics in promoting suicide prevention and the mental health of the population

Wasserman, Danuta; Terenius, Lars; Wasserman, Jerzy; Sokolowski, Marcus

doi:10.1038/mp.2009.113

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Personality traits including neuroticism or neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities involving impaired working memory or executive functioning resulting in poor problem solving could also be involved (Baud, 2005; Brent & Melhem, 2008; Mann et al 2009). Gene variants related, for example, to the serotonergic-, noradrenergic- and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems appear to be associated with the risk of suicidal behaviour (Brezo et al 2008; Currier & Mann, 2008; Ernst et al 2009); interaction patterns (gene–gene, gene–development, gene–environment), however, are largely unknown (Rujescu et al 2007; Brezo et al 2008, 2010; Currier & Mann, 2008; Ernst et al 2009; Roy et al 2009; Wasserman et al 2010; Fergusson et al 2011). The genetic effect probably involves a large number of single genes or alleles, similar to what has been suggested for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Purcell et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concerning the latter, several possible aetiological pathways for suicidal behaviour have been suggested, for instance, direct effects from psychiatric disorders, effects of early adversity, gene–environment correlation (selection into adversity), interactions between culture and genes and causal loops from genes to environment and back again (Kendler, 2010), These two overlapping approaches, as well as other strategies, are likely to require further development of technology (e.g. neuroimaging and -physiology) for more fine-grained assessment of biological mechanisms (Wasserman et al 2010). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Familial clustering of suicide risk: a total population study of 11.4 million individuals

et al. 2011

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BackgroundResearch suggests that suicidal behaviour is aggregated in families. However, due to methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, the strength and pattern of this aggregation remains uncertain.MethodWe examined the familial clustering of completed suicide in a Swedish total population sample. We linked the Cause of Death and Multi-Generation Registers and compared suicide rates among relatives of all 83 951 suicide decedents from 1952–2003 with those among relatives of population controls.ResultsPatterns of familial aggregation of suicide among relatives to suicide decedents suggested genetic influences on suicide risk; the risk among full siblings (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 2.8–3.5, 50% genetic similarity) was higher than that for maternal half-siblings (1.7, 1.1–2.7, 25% genetic similarity), despite similar environmental exposure. Further, monozygotic twins (100% genetic similarity) had a higher risk than dizygotic twins (50% genetic similarity) and cousins (12.5% genetic similarity) had higher suicide risk than controls. Shared (familial) environmental influences were also indicated; siblings to suicide decedents had a higher risk than offspring (both 50% genetically identical but siblings having a more shared environment, 3.1, 2.8–3.5 v. 2.0, 1.9–2.2), and maternal half-siblings had a higher risk than paternal half-siblings (both 50% genetically identical but the former with a more shared environment). Although comparisons of twins and half-siblings had overlapping confidence intervals, they were supported by sensitivity analyses, also including suicide attempts.ConclusionsFamilial clustering of suicide is primarily influenced by genetic and also shared environmental factors. The family history of suicide should be considered when assessing suicide risk in clinical settings or designing and administering preventive interventions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Familial clustering of suicide risk: a total population study of 11.4 million individuals

et al. 2011

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“…Another study reported differences in expression of the DARPP-32 gene, which is involved in dopamine, and possibly serotonin, regulation, between schizophrenic patients who died by suicide and due to other causes [124]. However, the specificity of these findings is very low, and a lot of work remains to be done until clinical benefits can be gained [125]. The last decade has seen an increasing use of neuroimaging in schizophrenia research on structural changes in the brains of patients.…”

Section: Biomarkers Of Suicide Risk In Schizophreniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide in schizophrenia

Carlborg

Winnerbäck

Jönsson

et al. 2010

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

116

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SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide during a lifetime. The onset of the illness occurs relatively early in life, usually in the late teens or early adulthood, and most patients have long-lasting adverse effects. Schizophrenia is a clinical syndrome diagnosed on the basis of symptom profiles, and is characterized by a constellation of symptoms of psychosis, such as abnormalities in the perception or expression of reality, as well as negative symptoms, such as affective flattening and avolition. Cognitive deficits are also usually present, and the symptoms must have persisted continuously for a least 6 months: however, schizophrenia cannot be diagnosed if symptoms of mood disorder are present or the symptoms are the direct result of a medical condition or substance abuse (Box 1) [201].The specific causes of schizophrenia are not known and combinations of several factors are likely to be involved. Genetic factors play a major role in the development of the disease [1], and environmental factors are also of importance. These latter factors include a history of obstetric complications, such as asphyxia [2] and prematurity [3]. Advanced paternal age is also considered to be a risk factor [4], and birth during the spring and late winter also increases the risk [5]. Prenatal viral infections [6], serious viral infections of the CNS during childhood [7], migrant status and urban rearing [8], and a lifetime history of cannabis use [9] are other well-known risk factors.Contrary to previous interpretations, the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia show marked variation between sites. For example, migrants have an increased incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia, and exposures related to urbanicity, economic status and latitude are also associated with various frequency measures [10]. Men have a higher risk than women [11], and a recent review concluded that men have a 40% higher incidence of schizophrenia than women [12]. SuicideSuicide is defined as a self-inflicted death with evidence that the person intended to die (Box 2) [13]. Suicide is among the leading causes of premature death in the world and it is estimated that approximately 1 million people die by suicide every year [202]. Suicide rates vary according to region, gender, age, time and ethnic origin, and also according to death registration practices. The annual suicide rate in the world is 14.5 out of 10,0000 (in 2000), which is equal to one suicide every 40 s. Suicide is approximately three-to four-times more common in men than in women [202]. Suicide rates vary between different regions, and underestimation of suicide rates is common due to under-reporting, lack of epidemiological data and misclassification [14]. It has been estimated from psychological autopsies that more than 90% of those dying by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of death, and approximately 60% of the Schizophrenia is a disorder with an estimated suicide risk of 4-5%. Many f...

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“…Other molecular genetic studies have demonstrated findings consistent with the etiopathologic pathways suggested from the neurobiological studies of suicide, as previously reviewed (Ernst et al, 2009). Genes such as 5-HTTLPR, CRHR1, and mu-opiod-type receptors or the ROR1, CD44, FOXN3, DHX15 were identified in gene expression or GWAS studies of suicides (Wasserman et al, 2010). In Schizophrenia patients, the HPA-axis gene CRHBP confers risk for suicide attempt, and interacts with another HPA-axis gene CRHR1 with apparent consequences for suicide attempt risk and nature of attempt (De Luca et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and environmental contributions to self‐reported thoughts of self‐harm and suicide

Althoff

Hudziak

Willemsen³

et al. 2011

American J of Med Genetics Pt B

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Thoughts of self-harm and suicidal behavior are thought to be influenced by both genetics and environment. Molecular genetic studies are beginning to address the question of which genes may be involved and whether different genes may be expressed in men and women. We examined thoughts of self-harm and suicidal behavior in a large general population twin sample including male and female same- and opposite-sex twins. In this study, data on self-reported thoughts of self-harm and suicide were obtained from self-report questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory and Youth or Adult Self Report forms) in 6265 twin pairs (11,008 individuals) aged 11–90 (62% female) from the Netherlands Twin Registry. Liability threshold models were compared including sex and age (linear and quadratic) effects. Models were compared using measures of parsimony to calculate the simplest model to the data. A model with additive genetic and unique environmental contributions fitted the data for both males and females. There were no qualitative sex differences, but the relative contributions differed between men and women. Heritability was higher in women (0.74, 95% CI 0.65 – 0.81) than men (0.45, 95% CI 0.28 – 0.61). The remaining variance was accounted for by environmental influence unique to an individual. These results suggest contributions from additive genetic factors to self-reported thoughts of self-harm and suicide and support the continued study of both molecular genetic and individual-specific environmental risk factors.

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The 2009 Nobel conference on the role of genetics in promoting suicide prevention and the mental health of the population

Cited by 20 publications

References 31 publications

Familial clustering of suicide risk: a total population study of 11.4 million individuals

Familial clustering of suicide risk: a total population study of 11.4 million individuals

Suicide in schizophrenia

Genetic and environmental contributions to self‐reported thoughts of self‐harm and suicide

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