Scientists have pinpointed four genes that seem to play a part in how vulnerable you are to suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

“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 study co-author Nathan Kimbrel. He’s an associate professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

To find the culprit genes, Kimbrel and his colleagues conducted a large, genome-wide analysis using data from more than 630,000 U.S. military veterans. Participants were diverse, with 71.4% of European ancestry, 19.1% of African ancestry, 8.1% Hispanic and 1.3% Asian. Although most of the participants were men, 9% were women.

Medical records revealed more than 121,000 cases of suicidal thoughts or actions within that group. Those who had no documented lifetime history of self-harm behaviors were considered a control group.

The study included analysis of blood samples, finding links between suicidal behavior and ESR1, an estrogen receptor. It has previously been identified as a driver gene of both PTSD and depression, which are risk factors for suicidal behaviors among veterans.

A link was also found with DRD2, a dopamine receptor. It has been associated with suicide attempts, schizophrenia, mood disorders, ADHD, risky behaviors and alcohol use disorder.

The third gene identified was DCC, which is expressed in brain tissue throughout someone’s life. It is already associated with multiple psychiatric conditions. The study noted that it is elevated in the brains of people who die by suicide.

The last gene was TRAF3, which is linked to antisocial behavior, substance use and ADHD.

Researchers also identified nine additional genes that were specific to the ancestry of the patient.

“While genes account for small amount of risk relative to other factors, we need to better understand the biological pathways that underlie a person’s risk for engaging in suicidal behavior,” Kimbrel said in a university news release.

“Suicide is the cause of over 700,000 deaths annually and is the fourth-leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 29 years old,” he noted. “The more we know, the better we can prevent these tragic deaths.”

More research is needed to determine whether these findings can lead to targeted treatments, according to the study.

The findings were published online Dec. 14 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

More information

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 if you are having thoughts of suicide. Speaking of Suicide has additional resources.

SOURCE: Duke Health, news release, Dec. 14, 2022

Source: HealthDay