Timing is critical: gene, environment and timing interactions in genetics of suicide in children and adolescents.
Suicidal behavior runs in families and is prevalent in adolescence. Case-control and family-based studies in this age group failed to find a genetic association that survived replications. Gene environment approach gave new hope for possible associations especially with the short allele of the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). However, a recent meta-analysis raised doubts about the consistency of these findings. Some new structural and functional imaging data may shade light on the age-related and gender-related development of the brain. This review suggests a new approach to gene by environment and timing interaction to understand the interplay that leads to suicidality in adolescents and young adults.
Zalsman
G
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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division, Geha Mental Health Center, PO Box 102, 49100 Petach Tiqwa, Israel. zalsman@post.tau.ac.il
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012931:Social Environment; D013405:Suicide
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins