Possible Association of a Polymorphism of the Tryptophan Hydroxylase Gene With Suicidal Behavior in Depressed Patients

51 inpatients with major depression, with or without a history of suicidal acts, were genotyped for a biallelic polymorphism at the tyrptophan hydroxylase locus. The less common tryptophan hydroxylase U allele occurred with greater frequency in patients who had attempted suicide. Analysis confirmed an association between tryptophan hydroxylase genotype & lifetime history of suicide attempts. Serotonergic-system-related genes may influence the risk of suicide in persons with major depression.