Citation

Rujescu D, Thalmeier A, Moller HJ, Bronisch T, Giegling I. Arch. Suicide Res. 2007; 11(1): 17-40.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. Dan.Rujescu@med.uni-muenchen.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110600897317

PMID

17178640

Abstract

Various studies provide consistent evidence for a genetic component in suicidal behavior. First molecular genetic studies concentrated on genes of the serotonergic system based on the biochemical evidence that serotonergic neurotransmission is implicated in this behavior. Furthermore, genes of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems have also been the subjects of investigations in this context. Some epidemical and clinical studies showed that low serum cholesterol levels are associated with suicidal behavior and genes involved in these pathways have been investigated. Microarray experiments provide the possibility of genome-wide gene expression analysis and help to investigate associated molecular mechanisms. The aim of this article is to review molecular genetic studies in suicidal behavior and to emphasize findings on new genes.

Language: en