An association study of suicide and candidate genes in the serotonergic system

Introduction: Strong evidence demonstrates a genetic susceptibility to suicidal behaviour and a relationship between suicide and mental disorders. The aim of this study was to test for association between suicide and five selected genetic variants, which had shown association with suicide in other populations.

Method: We performed a nationwide case-control study on all suicide cases sent for autopsy in Denmark between the years 2000 and 2007. The study comprised 572 cases and 1049 controls and is one of the largest genetic studies in completed suicide to date. The analysed markers were located within the Serotonin Transporter (SLC6A4), Monoamine Oxidase-A (MAOA) and the Tryptophan Hydroxylase I and II (TPH1 and TPH2) genes.

Results: None of the genetic markers within SLC6A4, MAOA, TPH1 and TPH2 were significantly associated with completed suicide or suicide method in the basic association tests. Exploratory interaction test showed that the minor allele of rs1800532 in TPH1 has a protective effect for males younger than 35 years and females older than 50 years, whereas for the oldest male subjects, it tended to be a risk factor. We also observed a significant interaction between age-group and the 5-HTTLPR genotype (with and without rs25531) in SLC6A4. The long allele or high expression allele tends to have a protective effect in the middle age-group.

Limitation: We only analysed a limited number of genetic variants.

Conclusion: None of the analysed variants are strong risk factors. To reveal a better understanding of the genes involved in suicide, we suggest future studies should include both genetic and non-genetic factors.