Serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype, childhood abuse, and suicide attempts in adult psychiatric inpatients

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2006 Dec;36(6):687-93. doi: 10.1521/suli.2006.36.6.687.

Abstract

There is growing evidence that a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) moderates the impact of negative life events (e.g., childhood abuse) on the development of depression. However, it is unclear whether the gene x environment interaction predicts suicide attempts specifically. In addition, previous studies have not examined different forms of childhood abuse separately. In the current study, we found that 5-HTTLPR genotype moderated the link between childhood physical and sexual, but not emotional, abuse and adult psychiatric inpatients' histories of suicide attempts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Social Environment
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data
  • United States

Substances

  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins