Serotonin transporter gene may be involved in short-term risk of subsequent suicide attempts.
BACKGROUND
In the first year following a suicide attempt, patients are at high risk for reattempt and for completed suicide. We aim to determine the predictive value of two serotonin-related genes, the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genes that have been involved in the susceptibility to suicidal behavior.


METHODS
After a one-year follow-up study of 103 patients hospitalized after a suicide attempt, patients have been genotyped for both the A218C TPH and the functional S/L 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms.


RESULTS
Patients who reattempted suicide during the follow-up period had significantly higher frequencies of the S allele and the SS genotype. The odds ratio for the SS genotype vs. the LL genotype was 6.5 (95% CI [1.18-35.84]). No difference was observed for TPH gene. Patients carrying the SS genotype were more impulsive. However, multivariate analysis suggested an independent effect of both the SS genotype and impulsivity on the risk of repeated suicide attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the 5-HTTLPR SS genotype is associated with further suicide attempts among patients who have previously attempted suicide.
Courtet
Philippe
P
Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Lapeyronie Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Picot
Marie-Christine
MC
Bellivier
Frank
F
Torres
Stephane
S
Jollant
Fabrice
F
Michelon
Cécile
C
Castelnau
Didier
D
Astruc
Bernard
B
Buresi
Catherine
C
Malafosse
Alain
A
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase