SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS AND THE TRYPTOPHAN-HYDROXYLASE GENE

Background: To determine whether the tryptophan hydroxylase gene (ie, the gene that codes for the rate-limiting enzyme in the metabolic path way of serotonin) may be a susceptibility factor for suicidal behavior . Methods: Genotypic and allelic frequencies at a polymorphic Ava II r estriction site were revealed with the use of the complementary DNA tr yptophan hydroxylase probe C2-38 in 62 suicide attempters. The psychia tric characteristics of these suicide attempters were determined using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime versi on with modification for the study of anxiety disorders, and these cha racteristics were compared with those in 52 healthy controls. Results: No association between tryptophan hydroxylase and suicidal behavior w as detected. Conclusion: The tryptophan hydroxylase gene was not a sus ceptibility factor for suicidal. behaviors in the group of suicide att empters in this study.