Borderline Personality Disorder


Findings from Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department of Psychiatry broaden understanding of suicidal behavior genetics



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This article was published in Mental Health Weekly Digest, which you can subscribe to online.
2007 OCT 22 -- Researchers detail in 'Tachykinin receptor 1 variants associated with aggression in suicidal behavior,' new data in suicidal behavior. "'Substance P is involved in the modulation of depression, anxiety, and suicidal-related behaviors. We studied gene variants of Tachykinin Receptor 1 (TACR1-rs3771810, rs3771825, rs726506, rs1477157) in 167 German suicide attempters (affective spectrum n=107, schizophrenia spectrum n=35, borderline personality disorder n=25), 92 Caucasian individuals who committed suicide and 312 German healthy subjects," scientists in Munich, Germany report.

"Single markers and haplotype analysis in relation to suicidal behaviors (suicide attempters/completers) did not reveal any significant association. The rarest rs3771825 T allele however showed a marginal association with higher Reactive Aggression scores on the Questionnaire for Measuring Factors of Aggression (FAF) (F=9.86, df=1; p=0.0017). Haplotype analyses confirmed the finding. Violence or impulsivity of suicide attempt and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) scores were not associated with gene variants," wrote I. Giegling and colleagues, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Department of Psychiatry.

The researchers concluded: "Our study suggests that TACR1 gene variants have no major influence on suicidal behavior but may modulate aggression features."

Giegling and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B (Tachykinin receptor 1 variants associated with aggression in suicidal behavior. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B, 2007;144(6):757-61).

For more information, contact I. Giegling, Ludwig Maximilians University, Dept. of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.

Publisher contact information for the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B is: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: Germany, Munich, Suicidal Behavior Genetics, Aggression, Genetics, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Suicidal Behavior, Suicide.

This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.