Open AccessAssessment of Whole-Exome Sequence Data in Attempted Suicide within a Bipolar Disorder Cohort
Author(s) -
Eric Monson,
Mehdi Pirooznia,
Jennifer Parla,
Melissa Kramer,
Fernando S. Goes,
Marie E. Gaine,
Sophia C. Gaynor,
Kelly de Klerk,
Dubravka Jancic,
Rachel Karchin,
W. Richard McCombie,
Peter P. Zandi,
James B. Potash,
Virginia L. Willour
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
complex psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2673-3005
pISSN - 2673-298X
DOI - 10.1159/000454773
Subject(s) - exome sequencing , bipolar disorder , exome , suicide attempt , genetics , poison control , psychology , biology , gene , bioinformatics , phenotype , clinical psychology , medicine , suicide prevention , mood , medical emergency
Suicidal behavior is a complex and devastating phenotype with a heritable component that has not been fully explained by existing common genetic variant analyses. This study represents the first large-scale DNA sequencing project designed to assess the role of rare functional genetic variation in suicidal behavior risk. To accomplish this, whole-exome sequencing data for ∼19,000 genes were generated for 387 bipolar disorder subjects with a history of suicide attempt and 631 bipolar disorder subjects with no prior suicide attempts. Rare functional variants were assessed in all exome genes as well as pathways hypothesized to contribute to suicidal behavior risk. No result survived conservative Bonferroni correction, though many suggestive findings have arisen that merit additional attention. In addition, nominal support for past associations in genes, such as BDNF , and pathways, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, was also observed. Finally, a novel pathway was identified that is driven by aldehyde dehydrogenase genes. Ultimately, this investigation explores variation left largely untouched by existing efforts in suicidal behavior, providing a wealth of novel information to add to future investigations, such as meta-analyses.