Why do some people have genes that make them more likely to think about or attempt suicide?
Genome-wide association studies identify 77 loci for suicidality and provide novel biological insights
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists looked at the DNA of hundreds of thousands of people to find genes linked to suicidal thoughts and actions. They found many genes involved, especially in brain areas that control emotions and memory.
Surprising Findings
Suicide attempt and suicidal behavior are nearly genetically identical (rg = 1.02), but suicidal ideation and behavior only share 88% of genetic risk.
Many assume thoughts lead directly to actions, but this shows the biology of acting on suicidal thoughts involves additional or distinct pathways beyond just having them.
Practical Takeaways
Support genetic diversity in mental health research by advocating for inclusion of underrepresented populations in biobanks and studies.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists looked at the DNA of hundreds of thousands of people to find genes linked to suicidal thoughts and actions. They found many genes involved, especially in brain areas that control emotions and memory.
Surprising Findings
Suicide attempt and suicidal behavior are nearly genetically identical (rg = 1.02), but suicidal ideation and behavior only share 88% of genetic risk.
Many assume thoughts lead directly to actions, but this shows the biology of acting on suicidal thoughts involves additional or distinct pathways beyond just having them.
Practical Takeaways
Support genetic diversity in mental health research by advocating for inclusion of underrepresented populations in biobanks and studies.
Publication
Related Content
Claims (5)
Some of the genes linked to suicide seem to affect brain areas that handle emotions, memories, and rewards—like the amygdala and hippocampus—suggesting that when these brain circuits don’t work right, it might raise the risk of suicide.
Scientists found 77 spots in our DNA linked to thoughts or actions about suicide — 59 of which are brand new discoveries — showing that genetics play a complex role in different ways people experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Genes play a small but real role in why some people might be at higher risk for suicide attempts or death by suicide, with about 6.7% of that risk linked to common genetic differences.
Suicidal thoughts and actions are closely linked in our genes, but not completely — meaning while they share a lot of genetic risk, there are also different biological reasons why some people go from thinking about suicide to acting on it.
A genetic score that adds up many small risks can slightly predict who might be more likely to experience suicidal behavior — people with the highest scores are about 1.4 times more likely than average to be affected, though it only explains a tiny part of the overall risk.