Recent research in the journal JAMA Psychiatry suggests that suicidal tendencies may run in families.
In a study of US military troops, four genes that raise the risk of suicide ideas and behaviors were discovered.
Our understanding of how hereditary risk factors influence the onset of suicidal thoughts and risky behavior is advanced, according to researchers from Duke University Medical Center, by their findings.
To ascertain whether discovering these genetic markers might result in specialized therapy, more analysis is necessary.
“It’s important to note that these genes do not predestine anyone to problems, but it’s also important to understand that there could be heightened risks, particularly when combined with life events,” said Nathan Kimbrel, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Duke, in a media release.
Prof. Kimbrel and his associates conducted a thorough genome-wide investigation using data from more than 630,000 US service veterans.
Over 70% of this population were of European descent, 19.1% were of African descent, 8.1% were Hispanic, and 1.3% were Asian. Male participation made up the majority.
The medical data for the veterans’ cohort revealed 121,211 occurrences of suicidal thoughts or actions.
Control participants were those who had no known history of self-harming behavior.
Independent of the patients’ background, the research team identified numerous genes using a genome-wide analysis of blood samples taken from individuals with proven cases of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
The four genes that have also been connected to psychiatric diseases have the strongest relationships, according to the research.
Veterans are more likely to commit suicide when they suffer from PTSD and depression, both of which are inherited conditions caused by the estrogen receptor ESR1.
Men’s brain tissue has been found to suffer from the loss of ESR1, and estrogen is also suggested to have a role in the gender differences in depression rates.
DRD2, a dopamine receptor previously connected to risky behavior, schizophrenia, mood disorders, ADHD, and problem drinking, was the second gene identified.
The third, known as DCC, is expressed in the brain tissue and has been connected to several psychiatric diseases. Researchers found increased levels have been found in the brains of suicide victims.
TRAF3, the fourth gene associated with suicide, has also been connected to ADHD, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior.
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