Suicide sometimes in the genes

variant found; Large study discovers link to mental disorder
BY LINDA NGUYEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS OCTOBER 8, 2011

Suicidal behaviour may be written in the genes, according to recently released peer-reviewed data from Canada's largest mentalhealth hospital.

The study, published online in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, looked at 12 academic studies conducted worldwide, linking suicidal behaviour and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene.

Researchers at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that the studies supported a theory that those who suffer from a psychiatric disorder and have a feature in their BDNF gene called a "methionine variant" have a higher risk of becoming suicidal than those who had a "valiant variant" in this gene.

"There are many risk factors for suicide," said the paper's co-author, Dr. Clement Zai.

"There can be environmental factors, early childhood trauma or recent life events, underlying psychiatric conditions or alcohol and substance use. But genetic risk factors are also important, too."

The BDNF gene is related to the development of the nervous system. Those with a valiant variant typically have more rapid connections between neurons in their brains than those with a methionine variant, who tend to have more of a "slow and steady" connection between their synapses, said Dr. James Kennedy, director of the centre's neuroscience research department.

Zai said a better understanding of the role genetic risk factors play in suicide could help future researchers to identify and to predict those at the highest risk.

"By adding in this genetic variant ... there might be a better and better improvement in the predictability of who is going to be at risk for suicide," said Kennedy.

The authors also suggest that there might be a link between alcohol use and the BDNF gene.

Alcohol consumption is believed to inhibit the gene, causing a blockage in the formation of brain connections.

"Alcohol may have an extrapowerful effect and it may be through this gene," said Kennedy.

The review looked at data from 3,352 people - more than one-third of them reported suicide attempts and having suicidal thoughts, ideas or plans.

The participants in the study all were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder or general mood disorders.

About 90 per cent of people who die from suicide have at least one of these mental disorders, according to the researchers.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

Now isn't it odd that you NEVER hear of somebody committing suicide whose children have been kidnapped by CPS? Doesn't it seem odd that the #1 tool of Character Assassination is for the colluding mental illness clinicians to assign mental illnesses to people in order to steal the kids?