The neurobiology and genetics of suicide and attempted suicide: A focus onthe serotonergic system

Numerous abnormalities have been found in file serotonergic system in suici de attempters and completers. There is considerable evidence that the serot onergic system is partly under genetic control and that as yet unknown gene tic factors mediate the risk for suicidal behavior independently of the gen etic factors responsible for tile heritability of major psychiatric conditi ons associated with suicide. An argument is made that there is a relationsh ip of genetic variants to intermediate phenotypes, such as impulsivity, psy chomotor change, pathological aggression and biological abnormalities inclu ding specific gene products. A variety of biological indices have been gene rated by new approaches using postmortem tissue and in vivo imaging that a, ill pr ovine a rich substrate for further genetic studies. [Neuropsychophar macology 24:467-477,2001] (C) 2001 American College of Neuropsychopharamaco logy. Published by Elsevier Science Inc..