BDNF: A Genetic Link To Suicidal Behavior
Friday, October 7, 2011 - 12:20
in Psychology & Sociology
A new review has found evidence that a specific gene is linked to suicidal behavior, which may be one of the many complex causes of suicide. In the past, studies have implicated the gene for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in suicidal behavior. BDNF is involved in the development of the nervous system. After pooling results from 11 previous studies and adding their own study data involving people with schizophrenia, scientists writing in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology found that among people with a psychiatric diagnosis, those with the methionine ("met") variation of the gene had a higher risk of suicidal behavior compared to those with the valine variation. read more