Association Between Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism and Family History of Attempted and Completed Suicide

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of the serotonin transporter gene to family history of suicidality. 47 volunteers responded to questionnaires about family history of suicide, & provided buccal swabs for analysis of the polymorphism. Allelic homozygocity (the short variant) was associataed with family history of suicidality. These data, interpreted with the study’s limitations in mind, suggest a link between the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism & suicide-related variables. (8 refs)