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Genes, suicide and decisions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

P. Courtet ,
S. Guillaume ,
A. Malafosse  and
F. Jollant
P. Courtet*
Affiliation:
University Montpellier I, 34000Montpellier, France Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, pôle urgences, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-G.-Giraud, 34295Montpellier cedex 5, France Inserm U888, 34093Montpellier, France
S. Guillaume
Affiliation:
University Montpellier I, 34000Montpellier, France Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, pôle urgences, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-G.-Giraud, 34295Montpellier cedex 5, France Inserm U888, 34093Montpellier, France
A. Malafosse
Affiliation:
Inserm U888, 34093Montpellier, France Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland Department of Medical Genetics and Laboratories, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
F. Jollant
Affiliation:
University Montpellier I, 34000Montpellier, France Department of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, pôle urgences, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHU de Montpellier, 371, avenue du Doyen-G.-Giraud, 34295Montpellier cedex 5, France Inserm U888, 34093Montpellier, France
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +33467338581; fax: +33467338988. E-mail address: p-courtet@chu-montpellier.fr (P. Courtet).
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Abstract

Objective

A better understanding of the pathophysiology of suicidal behaviour (SB) may enable the discovery of more specific treatments and a better identification of vulnerable patients. The vulnerability to SB appears to be underlied by genetic factors coding for traits rendering the individual less able to cope with stressing situations, and more likely to be engaged in a suicidal process.

Method

During the recent years, neuroscientific studies begun to identify potential endophenotypes.

Results

We have shown that disadvantageous decision making (DM) was involved in the vulnerability to SB. DM impairment appears to be independent of comorbid psychiatric disorders, associated with emotional dysregulation (i.e. affective lability trait and skin conductance responses), and modulated by serotonergic genotypes associated with SB. In recent fMRI studies, the region that is likely involved in DM, is overactivited in response to angry faces, suggesting a higher sensitivity to specific negative social stimuli. Deficit in risk evaluation and excessive response to specific emotional stimuli may represent key processes in the vulnerability to SB.

Conclusions

These potential endophenotypes may represent future relevant markers of vulnerability for the identification of vulnerable patients, and relevant targets for the development of new treatments.

Keywords

Suicidal behaviourDecision-makingfMRIEmotionsEndophenotypesGenetics
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 25 , Issue 5: The role of genetics in promoting suicide prevention and the mental health of the population - Nobel Conference: The role of genetics in promoting suicide prevention and the mental health of the population , June 2010 , pp. 294 - 296
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2010

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