Naslov
Genetics of suicidal behaviour

Autori
Pivac, Nela ; Nikolac, Matea ; Nedić, Gordana ; Muck-Šeler, Dorotea

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Poglavlja u knjigama, znanstveni

Knjiga
Coping with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Returning Troops

Urednik/ci
Wiederhold, Brenda K.

Izdavač
IOS Press

Grad
Amsterdam

Godina
2010

Raspon stranica
31-55

ISBN
978-160750-570-9

Ključne riječi
Suicidal behaviour ; Genes ; Polymorphisms ; Risk factors

Sažetak
Abstract: Suicidal behaviour is a global public health problem. Patients with different psychiatric disorders, such as alcohol and substance use disorders, depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorders and altered behaviours frequently have suicidal thoughts, ideas and frequently develop suicidal behaviour. However, there are a lot of psychiatric patients who do not have suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation, who do not display suicidal behaviour, and who never attempt suicide. Suicide is believed to be a multi-determined act, precipitated by a complex interplay of different socio-cultural factors, biological factors, traumatic events, a history of psychiatric disorders and particular personality traits. Neurobiological basis of suicidal behaviour is not completely understood, however, the disturbances in the function of the major neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal /HPA/ axis, serotonin, noradrenalin, dopamine, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), glutamate, endogenous opioids, and plasma cholesterol status, are assumed to be responsible for the development of suicidal behaviour. The evidence from the literature suggests that genetic factors play an important role in the predisposition to suicidal behaviour. Therefore, the data from the family, twin, and adoption studies all point to a genetic predisposition to suicide and suicidal behaviour. Genetic studies are focused on the search for the candidate genes related to suicide and suicidal behaviour. The most frequently investigated genes are the genes related to serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine transporters, receptors, and enzymes involved in the synthesis and degradation of these neurotransmitters, genes related to glutamatergic system, GABA and to neurotrophic factors and genes related to neuroendocrine system. However, despite the numerous studies showing the association of particular genes and suicidal behaviour, the genetic risk factors for suicidal behaviour, such as susceptibility genes that contribute to suicidal behaviour, are still not yet confirmed, and there is a lot of non-replication in these results. Since the transmission patterns of suicidal behaviour is complex, involving both environmental and genetic factors, precipitated by the complex interactions of the multiple genes, multiple alleles are implicated in the development of suicidal behaviour. Therefore, more studies are needed to fully understand the genetic basis of suicidal behaviour. The search for the genetic risk factors of suicidal behaviour is an important task in the studies of the genetic susceptibility to suicide, since these studies might help in identifying subjects prone to develop suicidal behaviour, who might attempt and/or complete suicide. These subjects might be properly treated and suicidal behaviour might be prevented, in order to decrease the suicide rate. Therefore, an important goal in psychiatry is to evaluate the risk factors of suicidal behaviour, in order to prevent suicidal behaviour, to early identify the individuals prone to attempt suicide, to use the best possible treatment strategies to save lifes and to prevent suicidal attempts and suicide.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA