Cholesterol metabolism and suicidality in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome carriers.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined the relationship between cholesterol metabolism and suicidality in carriers of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and their families. This population has a partial deficiency in 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), the enzyme that catalyzes the last step in cholesterol biosynthesis.


METHODS
Suicidal behavior, depression, misuse of alcohol and drugs, and family history of psychopathology, including attempted or completed suicide, were assessed by structured interview in 51 carriers of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and 54 matched comparison subjects.


RESULTS
There were significantly more suicide attempters and completers among the biological relatives of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome carriers than comparison subjects, but family history of psychopathology did not significantly differ between the groups. More suicide attempts were reported among Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome carriers than among the comparison subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These results, based on a unique study design, provide additional evidence supporting the relationship between cholesterol metabolism and suicidal behavior.
Lalovic
Aleksandra
A
McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Verdun, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada.
Merkens
Louise
L
Russell
Laura
L
Arsenault-Lapierre
Geneviève
G
Nowaczyk
Malgorzata J M
MJ
Porter
Forbes D
FD
Steiner
Robert D
RD
Turecki
Gustavo
G
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010375:Pedigree; D019082:Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D002784:Cholesterol