title: Association of BDNF promoter methylation and genotype with suicidal ideation in elderly Koreans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been considered a risk factor for suicidal behavior in adult populations. BDNF secretion is influenced by epigenetic (DNA promoter methylation) and genetic (val66met polymorphism) profiles. We investigated the independent and interactive effects of BDNF methylation status and val66met polymorphisms on late-life suicidal ideation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 732 Korean community residents aged 65+ years were evaluated; of 639 without suicidal ideation, 579 (90.6%) were followed up 2 years later. The prevalence and incidence of suicidal ideation were ascertained using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule. Sociodemographic and clinical covariates included age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and disability. The independent effects of BDNF methylation status on the prevalence and incidence of suicidal ideation were investigated using multivariate logistic regression models. The two-way interactions of BDNF methylation status and val66met polymorphism on suicidal ideation were assessed using the same models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher BDNF methylation status was significantly associated with both prevalence and incidence of suicidal ideation, independent of potential covariates. No significant methylation-genotype interaction was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BDNF hypothesis and the epigenetic origin of the suicidal behavior were supported, even in old age. BDNF promoter methylation status may be useful as a biological marker for suicidality in late life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Yeol
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Il-Seon
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Brain Korea 21 Project, Center for Biomedical Human Resources, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung-Geun
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. Electronic address: jsyoon@chonnam.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jin-Sang
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human
keywords: BDNF; DNA methylation; Suicidality; aged; epigenetics