Research finding · June 2023
Genetic differences in the hippocampus can play a role in suicide risk
By studying the brains of individuals who died by suicide in comparison to those who died from other causes, we can analyze gene changes and variations in brain cells (neurons) and the spaces between them (synapses) where information is exchanged. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that is involved in memory and cognition (thinking) and has been identified as a brain region that could play a role in suicide.
In his study examining hippocampal tissue from 50 deceased individuals, Dr. Sujan Chandra Das identified four genes that had differences between people who died by suicide and those who did not. In addition to this, Das also found differences in synapse structure, and overlapping evidence for other previously identified genetic differences. These findings further solidify and build upon previous knowledge about the role of the hippocampus in suicide. In the future, this may help clinicians personalize interventions based on genetic testing.
Citation: Das, S. C., Schulmann, A., Callor, W. B., Jerominski, L., Panicker, M. M., Christensen, E. D., Bunney, W. E., Williams, M. E., Coon, H., & Vawter, M. P. (2023). Altered transcriptomes, cell type proportions, and dendritic spine morphology in hippocampus of suicide deaths. medRxiv, 2023.2001.2028.23285121, http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.28.23285121.
This finding comes from an AFSP-funded study — see the grant below ↓
