Endophenotypes as a measure of suicidality

J Appl Genet. 2012 Nov;53(4):389-413. doi: 10.1007/s13353-012-0113-1. Epub 2012 Sep 2.

Abstract

Suicide is thought to result from the harmful interaction of multiple factors that have social, environmental, neurobiological, and genetic backgrounds. Recent studies have suggested that genetic predisposition to suicidal behavior may be independent of the risk of suicide associated to mental disorders, such as affective disorders, schizophrenia, or alcohol dependence. Given the suicidal behavior heterogeneity and its hereditary complexity, the need to find demonstrable intermediate phenotypes that may make it possible to establish links between genes and suicide behaviors (endophenotypes) seems to be necessary. The main objective of this review was to consider the candidate endophenotypes of suicidal behaviors. Due to the recent advances in neuroimaging, we also characterize brain regions implicated in vulnerability to suicide behavior that are influenced by gene polymorphisms associated with suicidal behavior.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Endophenotypes / analysis*
  • Endophenotypes / metabolism
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Impulsive Behavior / genetics
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Risk Factors
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism

Substances

  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • TPH1 protein, human
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase