Familial Suicide Behaviour: Association With Probands Suicide Attempt Characteristics and 5-HTTLPR Polymorphism

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between family suicide behaviour history & probands’ suicide attempt history, suicide attempt characteristics, & 5-HTTLPR genotype. 237 probands (patients with major depression or schizophrenia) were genotyped. A semistructured interview was used to determine probands’ suicide attempt characteristics & first- & second-degree family suicidal behaviour. An association between suicidal family history & proband’s suicide attempt but not with suicide attempt characteristics & probands genotype was found. Results suggest multiple biological & environmental factors uderlie familial transmission of suicidal behaviour. (37 refs.)