AIM: Several studies have assessed a relationship between 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 2A receptor (5-HTR2A) gene polymorphisms with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. However, there has been no study about the association between 5-HTR2A gene polymorphisms, suicidal behavior, stressful life and loss events in a same time.
METHODS: 5-HTR2A polymorphisms in a total of 191 suicide victims and 218 healthy controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
RESULTS: There was a significant association between the 102CC genotype of 5-HTR2A gene and suicidal behavior (κ2 = 8.700, P = 0.0129). Furthermore, we found that suicide victims with a 102 C/C genotype had a significantly higher number of stressful life and loss events (P < 0.05). Genotype and allele distributions of A-1438G and His452Tyr polymorphisms of 5-HTR2A gene showed no differences between suicide victims and control participants and there was no association between genotype distribution and higher number of stressful life and loss events (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that C102T polymorphism of 5-HTR2A gene may be involved in the susceptibility to suicidal behavior and higher number of stressful life and loss events, but A-1438G and His452Tyr polymorphisms of 5-HTR2A gene weren't associated with suicidal behavior and higher number of stressful life and loss events.